Shaking Off -Teaching Children How to De-Stress

Children at the elementary school age have as many problems with stress as their older counterparts.  Because for them, like us as adults, stress is any situation that creates a significant change for them from what they normally expect. Getting bullied, losing a game, getting poor grades are some examples. And for other children, it can be more severe leading up to traumatic-based stress. Parents arguing, violence, abuse, or a lot of uncertainty can affect their ability to manage their lives. 

Because children cannot verbalize their stress like their older siblings or their parents, their chief solution is to somaticize their emotions. Stomach aches, muscle tension, getting sick more frequently are some of the symptoms of their stress. If the child does not have the tools to manage their stress, they may start feeling more depression or anxiety inwardly. Or they may start to act aggressively towards others, getting in verbal or physical fights. All are ways to deal with problems, but not in healthy manners. 

Talking to children about stress at this age can be difficult. But one way to help them is to teach them how to “shake off”. If you’ve ever watched dogs or other animals, they use shaking as a way to regroup or ground themselves after fighting or a stressful moment. They shake themselves back and forth to re-establish an equilibrium.

For a child, they can learn to stand up with their legs slightly apart. Then they can start to take their arms and shake them up and down, back and forth. After this, they can do the same with their torso, legs, and their whole body for a few seconds. The sensation of shaking works as a way to tense and relax the muscles in the body simultaneously. And this is an activity a child can do almost at any time they’re upset. 

For another example, watch Qigong expert Lee Holden show ways to Shake Off Stress.

Praxes provides training on its Intensive Child Model, designed to reduce stress and improved behavior for elementary-age children. For more information, please contact us.