As a parent, it’s terrible when a child is feeling anxious and we feel as though there is nothing we can do about it. There are many reasons for anxiety in children, including separation anxiety, PTSD, or social anxiety. No matter what the reason is for the issue, there are natural ways to calm your child and help them feel better all around. Another benefit is that you’ll feel better too. Read on to find out more.
Yoga
When you think of yoga, you will probably initially think of women practicing the ancient art of relaxation techniques. It’s also a wonderful way for kids to feel less anxious too. Kids’ yoga classes will focus on gentle, slow movements which are simple for children to follow, and the classes will also explore deep breathing exercises. All of this can be a good way to lower anxiety in your child.
Yoga works by clearing the mind. The child must concentrate on what they are doing and this means that whatever is troubling them can be put to one side, at least for the duration of the class. Once it is over, if the thoughts do come back to them, they will often seem less important because the child is feeling better.
Art
Art has long been known to be a great way to reduce anxiety. If your child has a problem with being able to truly articulate their issues, they can create some kind of art that will show how they are feeling and better enable you or their doctors to put a plan into place to help them.
Art therapy is the ideal non-verbal avenue for children to express their feelings and show others what they want or are concerned about. Whether it’s a trip to the dentist, a house move, a new school, a bully, or even some kind of abuse, children are much better able to tell stories through their art than through their voices. The added benefit is that it can sometimes be enough just to draw the pictures or create the art and let it all out; they will feel better for it.
Talking
If your child is able to talk about what is making them anxious, then it is hugely important to let them do so and for you to listen without interrupting or making any judgements. It might be a small problem that you think is silly and unimportant, but even if that is what you think, clearly the child is not of the same opinion. After all, it is causing them great distress. Therefore you should be careful about how you respond.
Simply telling the child they are silly to think such things isn’t going to help. Instead you will need to explain how the problem they’re describing isn’t so bad. Or, if it is something they will continue to worry about, you can reassure them that you will be there to help them every step of the way.
