DETROIT -- Monday morning on Local 4 News, Paula Tutman showed how the stress of the tough economy is affecting children. A local psychologist shared an exercise you can do with your kids to reduce their stress.

Robot/Ragdoll

Courtesy, Marcia Erhardt MA, LLP. PLLC

These are difficult times for all of us! We are all feeling the increased stress and worry about our economy. Even if you’re one of the fortunate ones who has not lost a job, you likely know someone who has.

Our children are not unaffected by this, and perhaps are even more vulnerable as they don’t understand the bigger picture.

They only know that Mom and Dad are very worried and are not as emotionally available to them.

This often results in more inappropriate attention-seeking behavior.

These behaviors may be manifested in varied forms, including but not limited to:

Decreased motivation in school

Lack of interest in favorite sports and games

Changes in sleeping and eating patterns

An increase in aggressive acting-out behaviors

Increased anxiety and/or depression and separation anxiety

A great exercise you can do with your children that will help them recognize the difference between being tense and relaxed is ROBOT/RAGDOLL.

It seems simple enough, but this exercise also helps increase compliance to following directions.

That’s a particularly important skill for ‘oppositional’ children to master.

You can play this game anywhere, but at Oakland Psychological Clinic, we recommend practicing relaxing on a regular basis to help relieve daily stress. And by the way, as you work with your children, you’ll probably notice the benefits, yourself.

EXERCISE:

1. Start with a game of Simon Says to set the pattern of listening and following directions in a familiar game setting.

2. Once that exercise is mastered begin the Robot portion by having your child tense all muscles and walk stiffly like a robot. You can join in, as well. Explain to them that when we’re angry or stressed, our bodies get stiff, just like a robot. You’ll be able to show them that our bodies don’t work very well when we’re stiff/stressed.

3. Next, have your child relax all muscles just like a ragdoll and show them how to walk around floppy. Even flopping to the floor is acceptable as long as the child is completely relaxed. Talk to them about how much better they feel when they are completely relaxed/in the rag doll state.

4. You might notice you feel more relaxed, too. And this increased one-on-one time is beneficial to the entire family.

5. Alternate between the two exercises to help your child, and you, feel a sense of control over their bodies and an increased awareness of the difference between being stressed, and being relaxed.

Of course, the most important factor in the success of any stress reduction exercise is you and your attitude.

Parents, we know you’re stressed but don’t forget you’re also the role-model to show how to handle stress, and then relieve it.

Try to find something positive in your future. And even if it looks hopeless to you, that’s not something you want to impart on your child.

Have reassuring chats with children after particularly stressful periods. If a child sees you crying, explain that you’re upset, but reassure them that everything will be okay. Make sure you child feels secure that they will be looked after, no matter what.

Good Luck and Good Living!

Marcia

Lake Orion Clinic

2633 South Lapeer Road

Lake Orion, MI 48360

phone. 248-393-5555

fax. 248-393-1791

Website

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