How Mindfulness Therapy can Activate our Child's Parasympathetic Nervous System

One of the greatest mental health gifts we can give to the next generation is having the tools and skills to control the activation of their Sympathetic Nervous Systems.  

As therapists we are on a continual quest to further develop our skills as active listeners.  

However, the true magic happens in the therapy room when our young client is also engaged in active listening.

So mindfulness therapy for children answers the age-long question, how do we get our kids to listen?

At Kairos Wellness Collective, mindfulness and basic meditation is incorporated in therapy and groups for all ages.  Every gathering starts off with some progressive relaxation.  We have our kiddos drop into their bodies.  After just a few breaths to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, hyperactivity is reduced, monkey brain is quieted, and hearts are open to connection.  

In addition to a nervous system, our mental health is also connected to the endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, and gastrointestinal systems.  

The Parasympathetic Nervous System has connections with all these disparate systems and is healing and soothing to the whole body and brain.  

Mindfulness work helps create physical and mental safety for our children.  The sympathetic nervous system is most activated when our brain is scanning for dangers.  Relaxation, aromatherapy, breathing, mindfulness, body movement exercises, and tonal sounds like chimes and bells, help regulate this stress response.

When we are brought into a space of healing with the parasympathetic system, we are open to the voices and perspectives in the therapy room.  Our children become less dominated by the personal experience of the world, and more open to rewriting their narrative of the world.  

Please contact Kairos Wellness Collective if you are interested in therapy for your child.