More Tips to Prevent Anxiety

BLOW OUT A CANDLE – This is another good way of getting a child to breathe deeply. Light a candle that the child blows out. But then relight it and move it further away. Keep doing this until the child’s breath can no longer reach the flame.
WATCH FISH – Research has shown that watching fish has a positive influence on stress and blood pressure which is why many hospitals have fish tanks. The larger the fish tank, the better the effects. Take children where they can watch fish - even a lake.
COUNT BACKWARDS FROM 100 – This gives children something to focus on to distract them from their stress.
REPEAT A MANTRA – Think of a relaxing mantra to repeat such as ‘I am calm’. Be creative and think of different ones.
MAKE THE BELLY A BALLOON – Teach a child to breathe into the belly, blowing it up like a balloon, then allowing the balloon to deflate when breathing out.
SHAKE A GLITTER JAR – Fill jars such as baby food jars, with water and glitter. Children enjoy shaking these up for 2 – 3 minutes which distracts them from stress.
CREATE A VISION BOARD – Cutting out pictures and words of things they love or would like to have, allows children to dream and have hope that their dreams may come true.
SQUISH PUTTY – another good way to distract from stress.
FOR OLDER CHILDREN – provide them with a notebook so they can write down their feelings. But let them know their writings are private if they do not wish others to see.
GRATITUDE JOURNAL – Encourage children to write at least one thing every day that they are grateful for. Use a nice colourful journal that they can enjoy returning to.