In honour of Children’s Mental Heath Week, this week on the blog we’re looking
at ways we can help our little ones relax if they’re feeling worried or anxious.
Looking after our mental health is as important as looking after our physical health and teaching our children to do this from a young age will help them later in life.
Teaching children some simple relaxation techniques and helping them to be in tune with their body and how they are feeling can really help them learn to cope with those trickier moments when they have those big emotions.
Here are 3 ways to help your child learn to relax (remember to talk them through these when they’re calm rather than trying to introduce them during a tricky moment):
1 – Counting your breaths
Breath in slowly through your nose to a count of 3.
Pause.
Then breath out slowly through your mouth for a count of 3.
You and your child can do this together for a couple of minutes. You can put your hand on your chest and they can put their hand on theirs so they can feel their breath coming in and out. They should feel their whole body start to relax.
2 – Tense and relax your muscles
This is a fun one to do with your child whilst sitting or lying down.
– Screw up your face and then relax it.
– Tense all the muscles in your arms, then relax them.
– Clench your fists, and then relax.
– Tense all the muscles in your legs, then relax them.
– Curl all of your toes, then relax them.
– Squeeze your buttocks, and then relax.
Your child might notice their body feels a little lighter after doing this.
3 – Use your imagination
Close your eyes, breath calmly and imagine being somewhere that makes you feel really happy and safe.
What can you see there? What can you hear? What can you smell? Can you taste anything? Is anyone with you?
We hope you find these techniques helpful – they’re great for adults as well as children!
For more information on Children’s Mental Health Week click here.