“Be a Tree” – A Grounding Exercise for Children
This simple grounding exercise helps children feel stable, calm, and focused.
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Trees provide the perfect example of the importance of staying grounded to be strong. Grounding does for us what roots do for trees. When we are grounded, we feel strong and able to handle anything that comes our way, just like the roots of the trees hold them steady when the strong winds blow.
Often times, simply being out in Nature, hugging a tree, or barefoot on the grass is enough to stabilize and calm our energy. But, sometimes we need to do more.
“Be a Tree”
Try imagining yourself as a tree.
Imagine your back as a trunk and that you have long roots that grow from the bottom of your feet, deep into the Earth.
If you’re able, stand with feet planted on the ground. If you can’t stand, sitting or lying down will work too.
Grounding works well when we bring awareness to our bodies. To do this, squeeze your muscles as tight as you can and hold them like that for a moment.
Holding your breath, clench your toes, your fists, your leg muscles, your butt cheeks, your tummy, and even your face.
Then let it all out with a big exhale, imagining all this energy you were hanging on to is flowing out of your body, down through your roots, and into the Earth.
Now shake any of this excess energy out of your hands.
Repeat this exercise several times until you feel calm.
If you can think of something in particular that has either upset you, or made you feel angry, you can imagine this anger, worry, or pain, all balled up in your hands.
Make fists, and with a deep inhale, lift your fists up high above your head, and with a big, long exhale, drop your hands down and “throw” this anger into the Earth.
Once again, shake this excess energy out of your hands.
Repeat this several times until you no longer feel so angry or upset, and on the last time, do it very slowly and deliberately.
We can also simply imagine ourselves with a trunk and tree roots reaching down into the Earth. Whenever we feel insecure, scared, nervous, or anxious, we can imagine everything that is worrying us to flow down our trunk, through our roots, and into the Earth where it is dissolved.
This can be done anytime, anywhere, and is always helpful.
Use your imagination and be as creative as you like with your “trunk” and your “roots”. Picture them anyway you like. There is no wrong way to do this, it just has to feel right for you.
Tips for staying grounded:
Limit time spent on electronic devices, as these quickly un-ground our children. Although there is nothing wrong with learning how to use these devices, a little time on them goes a long way.
When waiting somewhere, play “I spy” or ask one another questions.
When on car trip, look out the window and notice your surroundings. Focusing on what is around us and what we notice with our physical senses helps to keep us grounded.
Artificial stimulation such as television and media tend to cause our children to absorb energy that isn’t theirs, and often needs to be released through physical activity or an exercise such as this one.
Limiting the time that you spend on social media will set an example for your children to follow.
A regular routine of daily chores is also crucial in keeping children grounded.
Chores help develop problem-solving skills, self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and purpose. They will feel more connected to their life and the everyday tasks that life requires, as well as feel as though they are contributing to the family home. It is when doing chores that many lessons can be learned in an easy manner.
Encourage conversation, share what you know, no matter how small it may seem. This engages children.
When possible, involve your kids when you are doing chores or other everyday tasks. This is valuable time when you can connect. I heard many intriguing stories, learned valuable life lessons, and have had some of my most enjoyable memories from working alongside my parents.
Source By : www.shift.is
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