Find out all about the theory behind the 7 steps!
Relax Kids uses a unique method to take children from high energy and stress levels to a state of relaxation that has been shown to have a positive impact on children’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing. The process involves movement exercises, social games, stretching, peer or self massage, breathing exercises, affirmations and relaxations including visualisations, mindful and autogenic exercises, all elements of which are evidence-based and play an important part in self-regulation.
Sessions are fun, interactive and inclusive and enable the child to engage and to fully experience the change for themselves. Seven-step holistic has been shown to have a positive affect on children’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing. The Relax Kids 7 steps are laid out in a certain order to work with children’s natural energy systems.
The movement and games stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, stretching exercises encourages their muscles to stretch and stimulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Massage helps release oxytocin and happy chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine and breathing exercises stimulate the vagus nerve and lowers the stress responses. Positive affirmations further encourages the release of endorphins as children think and speak positively and finally the relaxation and visualisation exercises, at the end, allow children to calm their inner alarm system and get into a state of deep relaxation.
Our first two stages harness kids natural energy. Exercise and physical activity cause the hypothalamus to release endorphins, which are our bodies form of natural pain relief and pleasure chemicals. Exercise is often used as a treatment for depression and anxiety. Exercise has also been proven to have a positive effect on the concentration levels of children with ADHD and other attention span disorders, and promotes generally better concentration levels throughout the rest of the Relax Kids session.
Muscle stretches have many of the same positive effects as higher intensity exercise. Relax Kids stretches are adapted to be effective and non-strenuous for children. Recent trials have found that Yoga stretches have a generally positive effect on treating depressive, and can also be used effectively to target symptoms of PTSD. It is also a calming warm-down activity that transitions into the following stage. The feel stage of the Relax Kids process involves consensual and clothed self or peer massage. This is an entirely optional stage that can be omitted for children with sensory issues. Massage and positive touch stimulates the long Vagus nerve. This nerve is responsible for the lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure and the production of oxytocin, a chemical produced during positive social experiences, which includes positive touch.
Studies have shown people artificially dosed with oxytocin had lower stress levels and higher pleasure chemical levels. Oxytocin also promotes peer bonding, which is important for creating a safe social space within Relax Kids classes. Deep and controlled breathing promotes full oxygen exchange, which slows the heart rate and decreases blood pressure. Both of these act as a sedative for the body and mind. Deep and slow breathing can be used as an effective way to manage anxiety disorders. The believe section of a Relax Kids class focuses on simple self-affirmations such as I am special or I am a calm star. These positive statements affirm perceived good personal qualities, improving self-esteem. Studies have demonstrated that positive affirmations can have a dramatic effect on achievements. A group of stressed pupils performed badly in a problem-solving exercise. However, after doing the same activity following a brief self-affirmation exercise, the participants performed at normal levels. The relax stage consists of being led through a guided meditation either by one of our Coaches or by pre-recorded CD/MP3 tracks provided by Relax Kids. These tracks use a combination of mindfulness exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation too mentally and physically relax participants.
Studies have shown that mindfulness can be effective in combating anxiety disorders in both adults and children, alleviating symptoms of depression, and reducing stress. A 2015 review of mindfulness research suggests that it has a generally positive effect on a wide variety of disorders. To find out more about our training DOWNLOAD YOUR INFORMATION PACK HERE – https://relaxkids.com/info-packs/
