Sometimes, you have to get sneaky to get your kids to do or eat things that are good for them. But when your child has anxiety issues, or has trouble focusing and sitting still, it can be hard to find ways to help them relax. Here are a few clever ways to integrate relaxation techniques into your child’s day.
Do it together
Your kid enjoys spending time with you just as much as you enjoy spending time with them. So set aside a specific amount of time each day for you two to do something together. You could do some more obvious relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing and yoga, or you could try a relaxing activity together. Gardening, building things, art projects, puzzles, and games like Jenga are all great ways to relax, focus, and reset with your child. And you’ll enjoy it too.
Talk more
While you and your kid are doing a puzzle together, ask them questions. Start with low-stakes questions about their day and their friends, and work your way up if you sense there’s an issue your child might be dealing with. Talking while having them focus on another task might help them feel more comfortable to open up. If they don’t feel like opening up, encourage them to try writing down their thoughts and worries. Take them to the store to pick out their brand new journal specifically for this purpose, and the perfect pen to write it all down. The more they share, the more comfortable they’ll become sharing.
Create a points or reward system
Some kids are going to be resistant to the idea of relaxation no matter how hard you try or how fun you make it. But if you create a reward system, they might be more inclined to try it until it becomes a habit. If they have a chore chart, add meditation, visualization, yoga, etc. to it. If they complete 15 minutes of meditation each day, they get a point. When they have enough points, they get a reward. After a while, the relaxation techniques will become second nature, especially if you do them with your child. But be careful what the reward is. It is not recommended for the reward to be additional screen time or their “unhealthy” snack choices!
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Find an app
While we are cautious to recommend screen time, especially with children who may have issues with attention or anxiety as is can make some symptoms worse, there are a few occasions where it can come in handy. There are several apps out there that are designed specifically for meditation, mindfulness, relaxation, and even yoga for kids. Some are even effective for children as young as 4 years old, like the Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame app, which helps kids de-stress with their favorite Sesame Street characters.
With a little cleverness, and a little work, you may find that integrating relaxation techniques into your child’s daily routine is easier than you thought it was going to be.
See why mindfulness and relaxation techniques are so important for children with anxiety and attention issues, and learn more about how Brillia can help today.
