10-10-10 Rule For Kids

Stress is universal, affecting everyone regardless of location and age. Due to its prevalence in the modern world, a countless number of methods to manage stress have been created and shared. If you haven’t learned about the 10/10/10 method, it’s one of the easier methods to remember and implement, one that’s been tried, tested and loved by us. Considering its simplicity, why not teach children, too? 

By ingraining methods for stress management, children can grow into adults that are mentally healthy which will contribute to their physical health, too. After all, an emotionally healthy child with managed stress is truly priceless - it’ll go a long way during this impressionable time.

What Is The 10/10/10 Method

As a brief refresher, the 10/10/10 method examines perspective and priority by questioning a stressful situation as follows: will it matter 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now, and 10 years from now?

That’s it. Literally. Told you it was straightforward!

How To Make The 10/10/10 Method Kid Friendly

Of course, foresight can be a difficult concept to grasp - especially when children embody by default the yogic mantra of: being present. On the other hand, being present simultaneously entails being flexible and luckily, and children are known for their emotional flexibility. So really, you just need to flip the switch!

How? Well, children can be easily distracted so utilise the 10/10/10 method by switching their perspectives from what wouldn’t matter in the future to what matters in the present. Bonus: including a reward is always helpful, even for successfully practicing the 10/10/10 method. The reward should be carefully curated, though, so the child does not rely on the 10/10/10 method as a means of getting their way. For example, the reward can be treating them to a cheat meal (that is still healthy) or whatever is most relevant to the situation that requires the 10/10/10 method.

When To Use The 10/10/10 Method Most

In a nutshell, three situations can be one of the most stress inducing in children, applicable around the world but especially in Asia:

1. Grades - with the constant influx of information, the younger generation are expected to know even more and to perform even better than the previous generation. Naturally, this creates stress. If you find your child worrying unnecessarily about their grades (PSA, the most important grades for youngsters to worry over are those during the last year of high school), you could say: If you don’t get an A in all your classes, will it matter in 10 minutes? How would it matter in 10 months? Cause your grade in Year 2 definitely wouldn’t matter in 10 years…
2. Comparisons - comparisons often arise whilst in school, such as when comparing grades, but with the rise of social media, this habit of comparing can also extend to other areas of life. So, remind your kids this: If you continue comparing yourself for the next 10 minutes, how would you feel? Do you want to continue feeling that way 10 months from now? Can you imagine still feeling like this 10 years from now?
3. Technology addiction - speaking of social media, the technology addiction is real, especially the iPhone addiction. As the parts of the brain associated with pleasure are triggered during usage, removing an electronic device from your child/ren can cause havoc. Upon successful removal, you could say: Will you still be angry in 10 minutes? But what about in 10 months? In 10 years from now, you would definitely remember exploring the outside world more than the screen of an iPhone… 

Remember, trust your instincts and parent your way, using this article as a guideline for teaching your child the 10/10/10 method! Remember - kids learn the most by modelling - so practice what you preach and also apply this method to your own life!

This article has been republished with permission from PurelyB