Using Guided Imagery to Reduce Anxiety and Stress in Children

I'm always looking for ways to help my children develop coping skills.  One of the biggest problems I see in students of all ages is that they cannot manage the stress in their lives.  They often engage in inappropriate or even harmful strategies to help alleviate their worries.

Guided imagery uses visualization and imaginative techniques to build the mind-body connection.  For children, guided imagery is an especially good strategy because they are already naturally imaginative. It involves using a relaxation process along with a vivid story to help them cope with difficult feelings, reduce anxiety, or alleviate physical symptoms.  Parents and teachers have found guided imagery to be a way help children deal with stress, sleep problems, and test anxiety as well as other physical and emotional symptoms and disorders.  This article from Mindfulword.org touches on some of the research supporting the use of it with children.  It also gives suggestions and scripts for getting started.  To learn more, visit http://www.themindfulword.org/2012/guided-imagery-scripts-children-anxiety-stress/

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