Where does your hope come from? If it comes from health, finances, or something else you can't control that will lead to anxiety. -Dr. Wiggy Saunders

We know that anxiety is affecting both kids and adults at alarming rates.

We’ve discussed anxiety busters before on the Healthy Parenting Handbook, and today we’re completing the trifecta of experts with an MD who practices integrative medicine (we’ve already hosted a family therapist and a pediatric psychologist).

Dr. Wiggy Saunders joins me to dive into anxiety once again because we can’t give parents enough strategies to help their kids (and themselves) dig out of their anxious lives. We’re focusing specifically on how anxiety is affecting kids’ school performance.

Your mind will be blown with how closely anxiety and focus/attention are connected, and how certain strategies may help reduce your kids’ struggles in both areas!

We’ll talk about:

  • Dr. Wiggy’s favorite Bible verse
  • How different types of anxiety can escalate one to the other
  • The impact of parental anxiety on our kids
  • The role of adrenals in stress and how to support them with the nutrients they’re consuming like a ravenous teenager
  • natural remedies for children with anxiety
  • What magnesium in particular “says” to the adrenals to calm them down, and how that may impact kids’ school performance
  • The 4 vitamins and minerals most important to boost your immune system

Find all the episodes of the Healthy Parenting Handbook here, or wherever you get your podcasts:

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Can’t see the video? Watch this interview about anxiety in kids on YouTube.

No time for the video? Here are the notes!

These time stamps align with the video and not the audio podcast, but they should be pretty close!

Understanding Anxiety in Kids

As always, none of this is personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

  • 0:22: Today on the Healthy Parenting Handbook I’m talking with Dr. Wiggy Saunders, MD about how anxiety in kids affects their attention and performance in school.
  • 2:51: We’ve had other experts on the show to talk about anxiety before. (Here’s one example.) We know that anxiety is rising in children at alarming rates.
  • 4:27: We start with something we haven’t touched on before, breaking down some different types of anxiety: situational anxiety, general anxiety, and panic attacks.

Why Are Kids So Anxious?

  • 7:28: Some of the common triggers for anxiety in kids are school, popularity with friends, performance in sports, and parental expectations. COVID has brought an additional layer of stress that is overwhelming our children’s ability to process stress.
  • 9:40: When adults are under increased stress and exhibiting more anxiety it trickles down to the kids. It’s important to address the family when helping a child with anxiety.
  •  12:11: Recognizing that you are not in control and letting go is a good step towards lowering anxiety.
  • 12:49: Anxiety and focus both have connections with neurotransmitters, brain chemistry, and endocrine function. There isn’t always a direct correlation, but when a child suffers from both anxiety and attention difficulties they’re often connected.

Natural Help for Kids with Anxiety

Magnesium tells the adrenals "We can calm down now." -Dr. Wiggy Saunders, MD

  • 19:49: Dr. Wiggy shares some of the health benefits of magnesium and who is deficient.
  • 21:02: There are several types of magnesium and you want to get one that’s highly absorbable if you’re taking it for brain function.
  • 22:40: Right now getting sick is one of the primary concerns for families. We talk about supporting the immune system.

Supplements for Immune Support and Focus

  • 23:45: The most important vitamins and minerals for immune support for both kids and adults are: vitamin d, vitamin K2 (taken with D), vitamin C, and zinc.
  • 24:39: Raise Them Well is coming out with a new product that includes those four ingredients that’s formulated for kids.

If you’re navigating the complexities of supporting children with challenges in executive functioning and stress management, this workshop is designed for you.

Led by Elizabeth Sautter and Sarah Ward, experts in social-emotional learning (SEL) and executive functioning, this workshop will provide  you with practical strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines and activities, benefiting both you and the children you love and support.

CHECK OUT THE WORKSHOP HERE

  • 26:12: Another product that my kids love is Mag-Focus. It uses magnesium and vitamin B6. multiple studies show that taking these two together improves focus and concentration.
  • 28:24: We end with one quick win you can do today!

Resources We Mentioned for Anxiety in Kids

Dr. Wiggy SaundersWeston “Wiggy” Saunders, MD is an Integrative Medicine Physician in Winston-Salem, North Carolina who specializes in hypothyroidism and other complex medical conditions. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and practices Integrative Medicine. He has helped thousands of patients regain health through an integrative, holistic approach.

Dr. Wiggy’s desire to help people lead healthier, fuller lives is grounded in his acceptance of and faith in Jesus Christ. Strong Christian principles guide every step of his life, from his relationship with his wife and family to the care and treatment of his patients.

1 Corinthians 16:13-24: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” his favorite biblical scripture, calls him to daily live his Christian faith by doing all things “in love”, and serving the Lord through his medical skills. He feels blessed to be able to give to others by helping his patients feel better and live happier, more productive lives.

He and his wife, Emily, co-founded Raise Them Well to help parents like themselves with innovative, toxic-free, and convenient vitamins, minerals, and personal care products for kids.