Rustics Jungle Gyms supplies outdoor play equipment designed

and manufactured for the South African environment

Welcome to our latest newsletter.

 

In this month’s newsletter we examine stress in children and offer some simple solutions to help reduce their stress.

 

Happy Reading!

Children suffer from stress too!

South Africa is a stressful place for parents - the impacts of load shedding, covid-19, busy schedules and work pressures, mean stress in adults is common. However, it's important to remember that stress is not limited to adults – children can experience stress, too.

 

"Children can experience stress or anxiety for a variety of reasons, such as changes in routine, interpersonal conflict or from expectations placed upon them," says Anna Lorenzi, MPH, Program Manager at Get Up & Go by Children's Health℠. "Children can also take on stress from their surroundings."

 

Is your child stressed?

Children experience stress differently from adults, and they don't always have the words to express their feelings. This means that stress can show up in a variety of ways – such as mood swings, acting out, poor sleep or concentration, and even complaints of stomach aches or headaches.

 

"Teaching your child healthy ways to handle their emotions from a young age can provide them with skills they will need as they get older," Lorenzi says.

 

 

Simple stress relief for children.

  Regular physical exercise   

How does exercise reduce stress?

 

"Physical activity reduces the level of stress hormones in the body and increases chemicals in the brain that boost our mood and reduce pain," Lorenzi explains. "It has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while improving well-being and quality of life."

Regular physical activity and exercise can also:

 

  • Build confidence and self-esteem

  • Improve focus and concentration

  • Improve quality of sleep

  • Provide social interaction, support and bonding

 

Any kind of exercise is likely to reduce stress levels, but aerobic activity is one of the best – it gets the blood pumping, which releases chemicals that improve your mood.

Get a Jungle Gym and get PHYSICAL!

  Get Outside   

Your child’s body will naturally regulate melatonin if they are outside. Melatonin lowers stress reactivity, which can help reduce stress levels. There are many other benefits of being outside. We mentioned the benefits of sunshine in a previous newsletter.

 

Add the stress relieving benefits of being outside to the aerobic exercise benefits and the overall benefits improve exponentially.

Combine outdoor play and aerobic exercise - get a Jungle Gym

  Cut down screen time   

We're all guilty of spending too much time with screens, children and adults alike. Too much screen time can be overstimulating, especially for kids, which can cause more stress and anxiety.

 

"Children may use screen time to self-soothe, which continues the cycle of being overstimulated," says Lorenzi. "The brain needs a break to process and reflect, but today's digitally connected culture is not conducive to that need."

(Source: https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/stress-relief-activities-for-kids)

Whatever your playground requirements, we can help

At Rustics Jungle Gyms we have been designing, manufacturing and installing wooden and metal jungle gyms since 2006. 

Our success is based on:

  • safety - our outdoor play equipment is built to South African National Standard by-laws

  • delivering a quality product at a fair price

  • building equipment that will last - our quality and built-in resilience to the harsh South African environment give a longer life span

  • honesty, integrity and our willingness to go the extra mile to give you what you want

 

Don't take our word for it.... read our reviews

Request a Quote
For all your Timber and Steel Jungle Gym requirements
+27 43 748 5880

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