Dr Wiggy Saunders on Reducing Anxiety and Boosting Kids’ Focus

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

On the Healthy Parenting Handbook we’ve covered many approaches to help families, and today we add the perspective of an MD who practices integrative medicine. Previously we’ve hosted a family therapist and a pediatric psychologist; now Dr. Wiggy Saunders joins us to broaden the conversation.

Dr. Wiggy and I explore how anxiety shows up in children and how it can interfere with focus and school performance. Our goal is to give parents practical, evidence-informed strategies to help children — and themselves — navigate anxiety more effectively.

You’ll see how tightly linked anxiety and attention can be, and how certain interventions may ease struggles in both areas.

In this conversation we cover:

• Dr. Wiggy’s favorite Bible verse
• How different types of anxiety can escalate into one another
• The impact of parental anxiety on children
• How adrenal function affects stress and what nutrients support it
• Natural approaches to help children with anxiety
• How magnesium can signal the adrenals to calm and how that may improve school performance
• The four vitamins and minerals most important to support the immune system

Watch the interview about anxiety in kids on YouTube (search by title if needed).

No time for the full interview? Below are concise notes and highlights from our discussion.

These time stamps align with the original video and serve as a guide to the topics covered.

Understanding Anxiety in Kids

As always, this content is informational and not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Consult your doctor for medical concerns.

• 0:22 — Introduction: Dr. Wiggy Saunders, MD discusses how anxiety affects children’s attention and school performance.
• 2:51 — Anxiety in children has been rising; earlier episodes explored related topics with other experts.
• 4:27 — Types of anxiety: situational anxiety, generalized anxiety, and panic attacks — each can present differently and may require distinct approaches.

Why Are Kids So Anxious?

• 7:28 — Common triggers include school pressures, social dynamics, sports performance, and parental expectations. The COVID pandemic has added stressors that many children are still processing.
• 9:40 — Children often mirror adults’ stress. When parents are anxious, it can increase a child’s anxiety; addressing family dynamics is an important part of helping the child.
• 12:11 — Practicing acceptance and focusing on what we can control helps lower anxiety for both parents and children.
• 12:49 — Anxiety and attention problems are frequently connected through neurotransmitters, brain chemistry, and endocrine function. When a child has both anxiety and attention difficulties, they often influence one another.

Natural Help for Kids with Anxiety

• 15:58 — Supporting adrenal function and balancing stress hormones can help. Nutrient status matters: magnesium is highlighted as a key mineral for those experiencing high stress or anxiety.

• 19:49 — Dr. Wiggy outlines the health benefits of magnesium and who may be deficient.
• 21:02 — Different forms of magnesium vary in absorption and effects; choosing a highly absorbable form is important when targeting brain function and stress response.
• 22:40 — Illness and immune concerns are top of mind for families; supporting the immune system is part of overall resilience.

Supplements for Immune Support and Focus

• 23:45 — Four key nutrients for immune support are vitamin D, vitamin K2 (taken alongside vitamin D), vitamin C, and zinc. These play roles in immune function for both children and adults.
• 24:39 — There are kid-focused formulations available that combine these nutrients in appropriate doses for children.
• 26:12 — Combining magnesium with vitamin B6 has been associated in some studies with improved focus and concentration for children who struggle with attention.
• 28:24 — We close with a practical, simple action parents can try today to help their child feel more grounded.

Resources Mentioned

• Raise Them Well — a company focused on child-friendly, lower-toxicity vitamins and personal care products designed for families.
• Information sources on magnesium for kids and immune-boosting tips were referenced for further reading and context.
• Dr. Wiggy Saunders’ clinical approach centers on integrative, holistic care, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and individualized medical management.