Relax!

sit in a chair, or lay down, and start by making a really tight fist and making his arm muscles really tight like a rubber band that's going to snap. Then tell him to open his hands and wiggle his fingers and make them relaxed. Limp. Then do this with the rest of the body, the legs, the feet, head and face, the buttocks...tightening and releasing the muscles. Kids will learn that there's a difference between a stressful body and a relaxed one. And they learn that they can control it. This one seems to work well with me after driving in traffic (which stresses me out). Wyatt also likes it because he says it makes his muscles "feel like Jell-O".

Meditation

For kids, meditation works well if they sit cross-legged on a comfy mat or cushion on the floor. Have them close their eyes and repeat a word or phrase each time they breathe. Meditation is about controlling your breathing in order to push out stressful thoughts from your brain...simple distraction. Focus on one thing to stop focusing on another. Wyatt and I like to use the words Love and Peace. Inhale for 6 counts and say LOVE, then hold for 3 counts. Exhale for 6 counts and say PEACE. It may seem silly to your kids at first, but once they get into it, they will enjoy it. You have to try it more than once, though.

Yoga

Yoga Helps Kids Find Balance in Their Lives is a wonderful article about how yoga can help children relax and has even been shown to help calm "hyperactive" children. Wyatt and I have yet to sign up for a yoga class at the local health club. Hopefully we'll get over there and enroll.

Massage

Who doesn't love a good massage? Kids definitely benefit from massage as much as adults do. Massage, or therapeutic touch, has been shown to boost immune systems and alleviate depression, according to the article, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is offering free massage therapy to young patients to help reduce their anxiety and severe pain.

Here are the massage techniques I use with Wyatt to help him fall asleep when he's not feeling well or just needs some TLC:

• Rubbing the temples and forehead
• Rubbing the scalp and GENTLY pulling the hair
• Rubbing arms, shoulders, and back
• Rubbing ears and neck
• Rubbing toes and feet

Deep Breathing

Dr. Amie Gordon-Langbein (muscle relaxation) also reccommends deep breathing

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