Top Relaxation Tips for Anxious Kids and Teens
Do you know what the best tool is for helping kids and teens manage anxiety?
It’s relaxation. There are hundreds of relaxation tools out there, and we cluster them in to three big groups: mindfulness and meditation, breathing activities, and muscle activities all help kids and teens self-regulate, which is crucial for keeping their anxiety levels in check.
Relaxation techniques are a huge part of anxiety therapy.
Kids and teens need to be able to calm down in order to move to the deeper, important work of therapy, whether that therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), or if that is a more trauma-informed therapy, like TF-CBT or EMDR.
Art therapy, play therapy, and EMDR all benefit from including relaxation strategies.
Every child or teen we work with practices relaxation with us in session, too - whether we do a meditation at the end of every session, or we incorporate a quick breathing activity before we get to move on to some fun, rapport building games.
And, it all comes down to finding the best relaxation tool for your anxious child or teen.
That’s why we have a huuuge toolbox, here on the blog.
Below, you’ll find our 9 top relaxation blogs. Enjoy!
Click below by subheading to find in depth walkthroughs for 9 awesome relaxation skill walkthroughs.
Mindfulness for Anxiety:
"It Is What It Is" Guided Meditation: Letting Go Of Stress and Over-Control
Warm Light Guided Meditation Series: Stress Relief and Whole Body Relaxation
Rainbow Aura Guided Meditation: Empowerment and Anxiety Release
Floating Leaves ACT Meditation (Meditation for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Breathing Activities for Anxious Kids:
Relaxation Tools Using Your Muscles:
5 Senses Scavenger Hunt for Grounding (also on this blog post, drinking water to reconnect and cool down)
Want more help with anxiety in kids and teens?
Reach out to work with one of our anxiety specialist at Compassionate Counseling St. Louis. Schedule your free phone consultation right on our website - we’ll talk through what’s going on, pair you with the best therapist, and figure out how we can really help.
Curious to learn more about anxiety therapy for kids and teens in St. Louis? Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anger management and anxiety therapy in St. Louis for kids, teens, and college students. We love helping with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. You can set up your free phone screening to see if we’re a good fit for your needs right on our website.