Try these three natural action-based strategies for improving child mind health and attention skills:
Yoga for kids
Sure, we know yoga and meditation can calm adult minds, but can it pull of the same feat in squirmy, energised kids? The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, Sydney, says so. It’s devised a pilot clinic that develops meditation strategies for youngsters based on Sahaja Yoga, a discipline that focusing on quietening kids’ inner chatter.
So far, results have been promising. Of the 16 attention-disturbed kids who completed a program trial, six kids were able to decrease their medication and three kids were able to stop their medication. And just as happily, all parents themselves reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed.
Sound sleep
Around 25 per cent of all kids diagnosed with attention disorders also experience sleep difficulties, reports Dr Vicki Kotsirilos and her co-authors of A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine. However these sleep issues often go unnoticed!
Keep an eye on your cherub to see if he or she might fall into this category. And in the interim, take a few steps to ensure they sleep as soundly as possible: choose opaque bedroom curtains that block out light and make sure kids steer clear of the telly and computer at least one hour before hitting the sack.
If your child suffers from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), monitor his or her magnesium intake, too. As Kotsirilos et al write, “Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that magnesium assists in the treatment of RLS.”
Playing outdoors
A large study in the US involving around 450 children and teens (aged 5-18) suffering from attention disorders found that when compared to indoor play, outdoor play in a natural setting significantly improved concentration capacity.
Find the most fun local parks in your area or make outdoor walks and ‘exploration missions’ a regular part of your family’s weekend routine.
References available on request