How yoga and mindfulness can help manage anxiety for children
Anxiety was a key topic at the Resilient Kids Conference held on the Gold Coast last month.
Below is an excerpt of a few key pointers from Dr Kaylene Hendersen as well as how yoga and wellbeing tools are key in helping children control and manage their anxiety.
Educate! – Let’s not shy aware from anxiety, rather teach our children what it is, how it feels in our bodies, why it is important and how to be in control of it!
Control the physical symptoms – utilising slow breathing to change our physiological responses, using our voice through humming or singing to sooth the nervous system as well as assessing any sensory requirements can all help!
Ray of Sunshine helps children through building their wellbeing toolkit through kids’ yoga and mindfulness practises in our wellbeing program.
The journey starts with an understanding of self, building emotional literacy not simply with language however through developing interoception and awareness skills through regular mindfulness practises.
Developing a positive mindset through teaching how we can ‘flip the switch’ with self-talk and utilise affirmations to assist with developing new neutral pathways in our brain.
Visualisations are a great practise to not only ignite our imaginations but can be used as a tool for children to help face their fears by visualising the actions and feelings they can have to move through difficult situations.
And let’s not forget – the best time to teach is when our children are regulated! Having a dedicated time and space for practise helps to embed these skills and have them within a closer reach for our children when they are dysregulated.
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