Resources for Self-Care and Stress Management During COVID-19

Provided by the Office of Head Start

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In these uncertain times, feelings of worry, stress, and anxiety can be intensified. Stress is natural and may seem inevitable, but it can take a toll on your health and effectiveness as an early childhood educator or parent. It can also impact the quality of care that you can give. When you are too stressed, it’s difficult to offer the praise, nurturance, and structure children need. Program staff can use the resources below to help manage the anxieties of their families, as well as practice self-care themselves, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taking Care of Ourselves: Stress and Relaxation
This page includes posters, booklets, and presentations on how to identify and reduce sources of stress.

Self-Care and Stress Management
Find answers to common questions about how to help parents handle stress management and practice self-care.

Managing Stress with Mindful Moments
Explore how breathing and movement strategies can help children calm big emotions. Discover ways to use mindfulness with young children to name big feelings and describe how they are affected by them.

Mindfulness: A Resilience Practice
Watch the video and access the handouts to learn more about mindfulness and how it can build resilience in children.

Head Start Heals Campaign
Explore these materials to learn more about addressing stress and supporting self-care.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, dial 911. Find national hotline information and additional resources below.

Mental Health

• Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 (toll-free)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) (toll-free)

Parent Support

• National Parent Helpline: 855-4A PARENT (427-2736) (toll-free)

Domestic Violence

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233) (toll-free)
• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844-7NATIVE (762-8483) (toll-free)

Child Abuse and Neglect

• The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-4A-CHILD (422-4453) (toll-free)

Substance Use

• FindTreatment.gov
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 212-870-3400
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics: 888-554-COAS (2627) (toll-free)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: 301-443-1124