Help Your Anxious Child: Blow Colors
This is a little trick I use to help coach anxious children whose minds just seems to “spin.” Patients have given me great feedback over the years that “blowing colors” really helps. Sometimes it’s for children and teens who can’t drift off to sleep, sometimes for those who are worriers, and sometimes for those who get anxious or overwhelmed at school. Blowing colors is a great exercise to return to regular belly breathing patterns, buy time and space for mindfulness, and improve control over feelings of overwhelm. See if it helps…
Greatest thing is–this is a good tool for a child or teen to regain control. They can use the exercise anywhere, at any time. Lots of children and teens who get anxious feel ashamed of their anxiety and don’t want to reach out for help. Reassure them that no one will ever know they’re blowing colors or changing the hue of a room. Practice at home before bed, in school during moments of overwhelm, or even remind a child or teen they can blow colors while out with friends or at a sleepover.
Carolyn says
This is fantastic! I bet this helps adults too. Same idea as ujjayi pranayama in yoga. https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2485
Gayle Schrier Smith, MD says
This is amazing stuff! Something so simple…so effective and such an animated discussion of something everyone can use at one time or another!
Want to help me do the video clip for teaching The Three What’s Next. One of my favorite tools to help kids cultivate another kind of inner wisdom.
Jessica Jernigan says
My six-year-old isn’t anxious, but he does get angry easily, and it’s something we’re working on. I bet this would help with that, too.
Linette says
Do you have any other information on this technique? My 4 year old boy gets overwhelmed and anxious pretty easily, sometimes releasing his energy in negative and physical ways. This might be a great tool to help him bring his mind & body back in control.