Gen Z prone to high stress Your cover story ‘Natural therapies best option’ (PW April) is timely and relevant. I believe that Gen Z is more prone to stress and anxiety that any previous generation. Ubiquitous social media, peer pressure, digital gadgets, burden of parental expectations etc have led to children experiencing high stress, loneliness, depression and sleep disorders. I agree with you that natural therapies are a better option than psychological treatments to ensure children’s emotional health. I also enjoyed reading your recipes featuring summer coolers. As temperatures start rising, it’s important to keep children hydrated with natural home-made fruit coolers. Parents should avoid the easy option of giving children packaged fruit juices and colas, which are full of preservatives and artificial colouring not to mention their high sugar content. In your next issue, please share recipes of popular snacks for hot summer months. Preeti Varma Bengaluru Acknowledge child mental health crisis Your cover story detailing natural therapies for mental well-being of children was an eye opener (PW April). Post the Covid pandemic, many parents and teachers are reporting cases of children displaying symptoms of stress and anxiety. In our time, mental health was a taboo subject. But the pandemic has changed that with the issue of children’s mental health and well-being brought into national focus. The holistic art, journal and animal-assisted therapies you have featured in the story seem very doable options for improving the overall emotional well-being of children. It’s important for parents and educators to acknowledge that there’s a child mental health crisis and take immediate preventive and corrective measures. Mishika Varma Mumbai Nature therapy best The April cover story ‘Natural therapies best option’ was informative and useful. While art, journal, and animal-assisted therapies are all good holistic healing options for children experiencing high stress in the Google age, I believe the best is nature therapy. Proximity to nature calms and relaxes the mind. And summer holidays offer an opportune time for children to take a break from urban life and connect with natural environments. Moreover as parents, we need to encourage children to make nature a part of their daily lives. For instance I have entrusted the responsibility of watering and maintaining our terrace garden to my children as also educated them about waste segregation and limiting use of plastic. Parminder Singh Chennai Lead by example Your Middle Years story on dysfunctional families is a must-read for all parents. Prof. Reema Joyice’s advice to parents to not involve children in their quarrels and arguments is spot on. Many a time, children are drawn into parents’ arguments and forced to take sides. This leads to children suffering low self-esteem and depression. Moreover, children emulate parental behaviour. If we constantly squabble before our children, then it’s more than likely that they grow up thinking that abusive and toxic behaviour is normal. As adults, we need to lead by example. I appeal to all parents to avoid using abusive language before children. Pratyusha Pal Kolkata Resourceful magazine! Thanks…
