Make time to relax!
Relaxation needs to be viewed as a scheduled event for your child, which you build into each day and do not skip unless there is some kind of emergency.
Just like adults, children can feel anxious and overwhelmed trying to keep up with activities, school work and social challenges. Scheduling relaxation time allows children (and adults) to restore their physical, mental and emotional energy. In small amounts stress can be good as it pushes you to work hard and do your best, but in large, constant amounts it can have a detrimental effect. We need to help our children to pause and take time to relax on a regular basis.
It is important to find balance between activities and relaxation. Activities are, of course, helpful and important as they promote positive habits, structure, develop skills and interests, and social connections. Alongside activities, relaxation is also important and needs to be scheduled just like you would an activity such as a music lesson or a sports practice
Here are just some of the benefits of scheduled relaxation:
Improved productivity and performance
Better concentration and decision making
Improved physical and mental wellbeing, including mood
Enhances memory and efficiency
Improves creativity
Increases energy levels
Here are some suggested ways to help your child to relax:
Prioritise good sleep
Refresh your thoughts by taking short breaks when doing a task
Make time for breaks where your brain can just relax or focus on something else
Exercise and movement
Develop mediation, breathing and mindfulness practices
Just by closing your eyes and pausing
Massage, for example give yourself a hand massage
Go outside or even look out the window
Do some stretching
Dance
Listen to music
Play a game (aim for a relaxing game rather than a really competitive game!)
Smell something nice
Or whatever helps your child to relax!
This newsletter has been written with the support of my own observations in my counselling role but also with information from a range of articles, which I have listed below. They come from a range of sources, are all very quick and easy reads, and are full of ideas which you can utilise straight away if required. I hope that this newsletter helps you to reflect on your child’s opportunities to relax so that you can strike the right balance between active time and relaxation time.
Why is relaxation important for students?
The importance of relaxing and finding time to unwind
After-school activities: the pros and cons of filling your kids’ schedule
Image sourced from: https://www.cbeebies.com/
Jenelle Hooson
Jenelle is a fully registered member with NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors).
If you wish to discuss the services the School Counsellor can provide, please talk to your child’s homeroom teacher or make contact with Jenelle directly: jenelle.hooson@medbury.school.nz