March 2026- The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has released a set of practical guidelines aimed at helping children manage anxiety and feel reassured during challenging or uncertain situations.
Recognising that children may feel worried or confused when exposed to distressing events, the advisory highlights the crucial role parents and caregivers play in creating a safe and supportive home environment. It stresses that fostering emotional security can significantly help children regulate their feelings.
Below are some easy ways you can help your children to regain their calm:
• Start by encouraging open and appropriately aged conversations. Let your child know that it is okay to ask questions or share how they feel. Listen calmly and reassure them that adults are working to keep everyone safe. Avoid exposing children to too much news or alarming information, as this may increase their anxiety.
• Simple calming activities can also help children regulate their emotions. Breathing exercises are one of the easiest ways to help children relax. Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and slowly breathing out through the mouth. Deep breathing helps the body relax by slowing the heart rate and reducing stress. You can make breathing exercises more fun by using simple imagery. For example, ask your child to “smell a flower and blow out a candle,” imagining a deep breath in through the nose and a gentle breath out through the mouth.
• Other calming activities such as drawing, reading, playing quiet board games, or cooking can help occupy children’s mind and make them feel more comfortable and secure. Keeping regular routines such as mealtimes, playtime, and bedtime, can further support a sense of stability.
For children who continue to feel distressed, the Department advises seeking support from trusted adults such as teachers or school counsellors. It underscores that with patience, reassurance, and simple coping strategies, children can learn to manage their emotions effectively.
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The advisory also notes that support is available for families experiencing stress. A 24/7 helpline has been made accessible through 800-SAKINA (725462). Additionally, a curated playlist of English-language breathing and meditation resources for children is available on the Department’s YouTube channel.
Through this initiative, the Department aims to equip families with accessible tools to support children’s emotional wellbeing during times of uncertainty.
