If your child is hyperactive or aggressive, you can take short-term and long-term steps to try and correct his behavior. According to the United States National Mental Health Association, nurturing and loving a child is one of the main ways to support his needs. This will result in a calmer nature. Aromatherapy is also a good way to shift your child's attitude and mood quickly, as smells can trigger certain emotions in his brain almost instantaneously, says acupuncturist David Crow in his book, "The Pharmacy of Flowers."
Step 1
Take slow deep breaths before engaging with your child when she is throwing a tantrum or being hyperactive. It is important to not only ask your child to calm down but also serve as a role model by remaining calm yourself.
Step 2
Try to communicate with your child by first listening to what he has to say. The National Mental Health Information Center advises you to let your child be heard in order for his emotions to flow and for him to gain a sense of trust for you.
Step 3
Make the loving request for her to calm down and also listen to you. You can try to hold her hand gently or rub her head slowly with the palm of your hand. Physical contact tends to work well with calming children, especially if they are still infants, according to the Child Development Institute.
Step 4
Use aromatherapy to generate a calm environment for your child. Lavender oil has effective calming and relaxing effects when inhaled and it can be your ally in different scenarios. You can use it with a diffuser to make an entire room smell of lavender or you can put a few drops on a cloth and have your child smell it so that he can calm down instantly. If your child is a baby, draw a warm bath and add one to two drops of lavender essential oil to the water. The warm water along with the lavender will help relax your child's muscles and calm his emotions.
Step 5
Refrain form engaging in the conflict with your child as it can only make the situation escalate and will set a bad example for her.
Tips and Warnings
- Only buy pure essential oils that do not contain harmful chemicals for you and your child's health.
- Terminate the use of any essential oils if your child experiences any sign of an allergic reaction.
Things You'll Need
- Lavender essential oil
- Diffuser (optional)
- Small cloth (optional)
