Rhythmic activities can be excellent for calming the mind and reducing stress for several reasons.
Movement based activities are used in various therapeutic settings for a reason. The rhythm in the motion can be calming for the mind and body.
What can be a rhythmical activity?
walking
running
Swimming
Biking
Yoga
Dance
Other ideas:
knitting
drumming
Pottery
Coloring/drawing/painting
There are so many activities that can be considered rhythmical and take note on which ones help you and your child.
Repeative patterns help the brain because it's a predictable pattern to focus on. Does your child experience racing thoughts? Try a quiet rhythmical activity to help calm their mind as well. It's a form of meditation.
Move your body to get out of your mind!
You can experience flow with rhythmical activities. Flow has been associated with reduced anxiety and increased feelings of calm and contentment. Rhythmic activities provide a structure and rhythm that can help you enter this state more easily.
Rhythmical activities provide that sensory input that helps calm the nervous system. In a therapy session, we might use rocking or gentle swinging in a session to help calm the nervous system and regulate a child.
Rhythmic activities can help regulate emotions by providing a calming and grounding experience. When we focus on the rhythm and movement of the activity, it can help regulate your emotions and manage stress more effectively. This can lead to a greater sense of emotional balance and stability.
In application, you can start rhythmical activities now with your child. You can take a walk, go for a bike ride, swing at the park, sit in a rocking chair together, etc.
Be observant of how your child responds in the moment of rhythmical activity and also after.
Are they more centered?
Do they have a sense of calmness now then before the activity?
Are they more open to chatting with you during a rhythmical activity?
Did the activity help them for the remainder of the day?
Give this a try and it can work even better when we as parents/caregivers/school staff participate as well to also feel regulated and build connection.
If you questions, feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
Jessica Earle, Occupational Therapist
Children's therapy services offered in your home: in-person or virtually.
Bilingual therapy services avaible throughout Nova Scotia and New-Brunswick. Virtual therapy services for families in Manitoba.