Active Fit: Calming techniques to help children manage stress

When children are overwhelmed with emotions or challenging situations, they may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as temper tantrums, defiance or even overeating. Such reactions to stress can lead to chronic health problems. The following calming techniques can be used to help children manage stress in a healthy way.

• Practice the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique. Have children look for and name 5 items they can see, 4 items they can touch, 3 sounds they can hear, 2 items they can smell and 1 item they can taste.

• Take 3 deep breaths. Have children pretend they have a flower in one hand and a candle in the other. Tell them to take a deep breath through the nose to smell the flower and exhale through the mouth to blow out the candle.

• Do some jumping jacks or take a walk. Physical activity releases stress and helps calm the body.

• Pretend to make lemonade. While imagining they are holding a lemon, have children squeeze their hands together as tight as they can to squeeze out all the juice. Then, open the hands to release the tension and lower their heart rate.

• Ask children if they would like a hug. A warm hug can help children feel supported, safe, secure and loved.

To learn more ways to help children cope with stress and become more resilient, talk to a healthcare provider.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Active Fit: Calming techniques to help children manage stress