Out & About Spring 2019

EDUCATION Help your kids to relax

During her 30 years as a teacher AMANDA BAILEY noticed the increasing number of children and young people suffering with anxiety, stress and poor self-esteem. She now offers a programme devised by Relax Kids, one of the leading experts in child relaxation training, classes and resources

D id you know that half of mental health problems suffered in adulthood start before a child reaches their 15th birthday? Frustrated with the lack of support, Amanda Bailey discovered Relax Kids, which showed her how to support the development of good mental health in children and young people. The programme provides a unique way in which to develop everyday strategies to manage stress, anxiety and differing moods. It helps young people who are feeling, tired, cross or unhappy, those finding it difficult to sleep, stressed with exams, suffering from headaches and stomach problems and more. Many children are obsessed with fidget spinners, slime, squishes, squidgies and flossing (the dance not dental hygiene!). Without realising it, they are stimulating their senses, which has a calming effect on their nervous system. When we feel anxious the body releases stress hormones, adrenalin and cortisol, followed by an automatic Deep breathing will calm the mind and relax the body – the out breath is the calming breath. Before any breathing exercise take a moment to settle, feeling the body relax. Always breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Encourage your child to say how it makes them feel, they are then more likely to recognise emotional discomfort and use breathing as a strategy to combat anxiety. At first, together with your child spend time feeling and observing the sensations of breathing in the nose, chest and tummy. Allow a breath to enter the body and then let go. Lie down on your back and place a light object such as a book, soft toy or paper boat on the

to help them feel calm and relaxed in all areas of their lives. Amanda runs Relax Kids community classes for children aged 6-11 in Hermitage and Wash Common. Each session contains Relax Kids 7 unique steps. movement and games, then progress to a calm and relaxed state learning simple and fun relaxation strategies, such as massage, breathing techniques and meditation. She also offers six-week Family Chill Skills courses in your own home for ages 7+, including teens, young adults and parents. These sessions provide opportunities to learn relaxation techniques and strategies, including information about the structure of the brain and how this relates to emotions and feelings. It also explores ways to problem solve and change attitudes, behaviour and habits through visualisations, positive thinking and self belief. The children learn to regulate themselves with high-energy

Amanda Bailey

‘fight and flight’ reaction. This sensory stimulation promotes the release of ‘happy chemicals’, reduces the adrenalin and allows calm and

relaxed feelings to increase. These current fads provide

individuals with an opportunity to explore the science behind regulating stress, as well as learn more strategies

Ideas to try at home

chest, then tummy and watch it go up and down. After spending time focussing on the experience of breathing, encourage your child to sit up tall, with the body at ease, allowing the diaphragm to expand as their lungs fill with air, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. The slower the out breath the more relaxed your child will feel. Here are some fun breathing exercises to practise: • blow onto a large feather or pin wheel • blow through a straw – you can make this extra fun by using water, a milkshake, blow painting, bubble blowing • blow under a tissue and make it float • imagine you are blowing out candles on a birthday cake or blowing up a balloon

If you’d like to find out more, visit www.relaxwithamanda.co.uk or send an email to: info@relaxwithamanda.co.uk or call/text on 07909502667

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