I loved this article by Lori Lite and she graciously let me post it for you. Stress is mounting with our kids and they need to learn healthy ways to reduce it. These ideas are so simple but also doable…and you can have fun reinforcing the alphabet with your younger kids. Why not hang a copy of this on your fridge so you can refer to it throughout the day and remind everyone to find their favorite letter to bust their stress! Thanks Lori! (You can follow her on twitter @StressFreeKids )
By Lori Lite, Founder of Stress Free Kids
Stepping through the academic door to learning also opens Pandora’s Box of stressors. Preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, or college. Fill your child’s backpack with the ABCs of decreasing stress.
A- Affirmations = positive statements= less stress
B- Be aware of over-scheduling
C- Counteract stress with relaxation and stress management techniques
D- Deep breathing is a quick fix for anger and anxiety
E- Exhale and say ahhhh….
F- Focus on relaxation and sleep will follow
G- Go for a slow walk
H- Hope will decrease anxiety and fear
I- Imagine a positive outcome
J- Juggle less
K- Keep it simple, keep it fun
L- Laughter is a stress reducer
M- Music calms, soothes, and uplifts ( Indigo Dreams: Kid’s Relaxation Music)
N- Negative thoughts can be replaced with positive
O- Organizing eliminates chaos and frustration
P- Progressive muscle relaxation relaxes
Q- Quiet time is part of life
R- Relaxation can be incorporated into each day
S- Stop the chatter in your head
T- Teens or toddler. We all need downtime and coping skills
U- Understand that when your are stressed life is out of balance
V- Visualizing increases creativity
W- Waste time and be happy about it
X- XOXO kids, teens, we all relax with a hug or a kiss
Y- Young or old can learn stress management
Z- Zap stress, anxiety, fear…Live in joy, hope, balance
Lori Lite has created a line of books and CDs designed to help children, teens, and adults decrease stress, anxiety, and anger. Her 8 books, 8 CDs, and 2 curriculums are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, and yoga instructors. Lori has just expanded her Indigo Dreams CD line to include 3 new relaxation music CDs for kids and teens. Lori is a certified children’s mediation facilitator and Sears’ parent expert. For more information visit www.StressFreeKids.com