When adults are stressed, they might try meditation or a firm massage, but a stressed child needs different outlets in order to regain tranquility. Knowing such relaxation tips for children can help you help them release the tension.
Floppy Muscles
Tense muscles might come along with your child's anxiety, and a way to help relax those muscles is by encouraging her to imagine that she is a large rubber band. The rubber band flops and sways, so your child should too. Allow her to move around like a rubber band, wiggling her arms, legs, tummy and head. She can also put this in context. Have her pretend that someone is gently pulling on her, so she will stretch her muscles in response. Then, upon being released from the gentle pull, she will become floppy again. This technique massages and works your child's muscles by being stretched, moved and released. She might also laugh a little during this exercise, which is a natural stress reliever.
Color Visualization
By visualizing, your child can channel areas of the body under anxiety and influence the release of stress in that area. Have your child pick a color that makes him feel relaxed and comfortable. First, have your child close his eyes. Next, have him practice breathing in that color and sending it to the stressed areas of the body. Have him visualize the color going down through the various parts of his body, such as his throat and arms. As he sends it down through his body, have him exhale. He will visualize the flow of this color until the color has filled his body. The breathing will act as a natural stress reliever and muscle relaxer, and the point of focus provides distraction from the stress, according to the Family Education website.
Body Part Isolation and Breathing
When anxious, your child might feel as though she is not in control of her feelings or the physical manifestations of her stress, such as making fists or tightening the jaws, according to the Family Education website. To help, have your child identify the parts of her body that feel tightened because of the stress. Next, she will breathe in deeply and visualize herself sending that breath to the area. She will then consciously release any tension she is placing on that area. She will continue this technique until she has approached all or many of the areas under stress. By doing this technique, your child learns how to consciously acknowledge signs of stress, target the areas under such tension and relax these parts. She will also benefit from the natural stress relief of her breathing.
