De-stress your kids
Life is becoming more and more stressful and children are increasingly suffering the effects of our stressful society. Here are some tips to help your child de-stress ...
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- Try not to pressurise your child into taking on too many extra activities.
- Make sure they don't feel the pressure of having to achieve well in school.
- Give your child plenty of praise so allowing their confidence to develop.
- Allow your child to have some time to chill out in between activities.
- If the family is going through a crisis, make sure you explain to your child what is happening so giving some reassurance.
- Exercise in the open air is a great de-stresser for children. No matter what the weather, try and get out for a few moments of fun.
- Slow down as much as you can ... children are deeply affected by the stresses and strains of adults around them.
- Try not to yell at your child. Children will follow your example.
- Find some time to practise some breathing and relaxation techniques with your child.
Now try this ...
Here are two Relax Kids exercises for you to try out at home with your child.
Floating like a feather
Close your eyes, be very still and imagine your toes are becoming as light as feathers. They feel as if they are about to float into the air. Let them drift upwards. And now, try to feel as if your legs are as light as feathers. They are no longer big and heavy but soft and light.
Let your tummy and chest become light too. Enjoy this feeling as your body is slowly getting lighter and lighter. Feel your arms to be as light as possible. And let your fingers gently relax and float upwards. Finally let your head become light.
Now your whole body is as light as a pile of feathers. You feel soft and relaxed. Slowly allow your body to float upwards and see how light you can be. The lighter you are, the higher you will float. Stay up in the air for as long as you wish, floating totally free. And now, when you are ready, slowly drift down again back to the ground.
Relaxing on a soft bed
Close your eyes, be very still and imagine that you are lying on your back, on the softest bed in the world. The pillow is so soft and the sheets are made of silk and feel so warm and soft against your body. Very slowly you feel your legs become more and more relaxed.
Your muscles start to relax as you gently sink deeper into the soft bed. Now, feel your spine starting to open and lengthen. Feel your arms gently sink downwards. Allow your spine to gently sink into the bed. Let you neck and head be free and sink down.
Let your legs sink into the softness of the bed. You are lying on such a comfortable bed. It feels so soft and warm. The deeper you relax the more you gently sink. You feel very calm lying here. In your mind repeat to yourself I am completely calm, I am completely calm. Stay in this calm state for as long as you wish.
For more relaxation exercises and to order Relax Kids books and CDs visit Relax Kids or call 0870 350 5035.
