Have you noticed a child who seems more anxious, withdrawn, or overwhelmed lately?
Maybe it’s a student in your class who’s struggling to focus.
Maybe it’s your own child who’s more emotional than usual.
You’re not alone.
Recently, I’ve had an overwhelming number of parents and teachers reaching out, saying:
💬 “My child is struggling. What can I do?”
💬 “I see this in my students every day and feel helpless.”
💬 “How can I support their mental well-being without overwhelming them?”
The truth is, many children are still carrying the emotional toll of the past few years. And for some, those anxious thoughts and feelings have become part of their daily lives.
The good news? There are simple, effective ways to help.
Over the past 27 years of teaching kids yoga, I’ve seen first-hand how small changes can make a big difference. Here are 7 simple strategies you can start using today.
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1️⃣ Connection First, Always
Before jumping in with solutions, connect first. When children feel anxious or down, they don’t need fixing—they need to feel safe.
Instead of saying:
❌ “Stop worrying.”
❌ “You’ll be fine.”
Try:
💛 “I see you’re feeling overwhelmed right now. I’m here.”
💛 “It makes sense you feel this way. Let’s take a moment together.”
When kids feel heard, they open up. And when they open up, real healing can begin.
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2️⃣ Engage Their Body to Calm Their Mind
An anxious mind is like a snow globe—thoughts swirling everywhere. But movement helps settle the storm.
Try:
🧘♂️ Yoga poses: Child’s Pose, Forward Fold, or Butterfly Pose (these help the body relax)
🚶♀️ A short walk together: Rhythmic movement soothes the nervous system
🤲 A sensory activity: Holding a smooth rock, squeezing a stress ball, running hands under water
These simple actions shift their state fast.
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3️⃣ Create a “Reset Ritual”
Kids thrive on predictability. Having a small ritual to regain control when emotions feel big can make all the difference.
Some ideas:
✅ A 5-minute quiet time after school to reset
✅ A worry box – write down a worry, drop it in, and “let it go”
✅ A bedtime wind-down routine (stretch, journal, deep breath)
Consistency = comfort.
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4️⃣ Give Them a “Safe Phrase”
Sometimes, children feel emotions they can’t name. Having a simple phrase they can say to express their feelings helps.
Try:
💬 “I need a moment.”
💬 “My brain feels busy.”
💬 “Can we reset together?”
This teaches them to communicate emotions without shame—and it gives YOU insight into when they need support.
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5️⃣ Help Them Externalise Their Worries
When anxious thoughts stay in the mind, they grow bigger. But getting them out in the open takes away their power.
Encourage them to:
📝 Write it down. (Journaling or drawing emotions)
🎭 Act it out. (“Let’s pretend your worry is a character—what does it say?”)
📦 Put it in a “worry jar.” (Write it, fold it, place it inside)
This breaks the cycle of overthinking and helps them move forward.
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6️⃣ Teach Them to “Flip the Thought”
Anxiety often comes from negative thought loops:
❌ “No one likes me.”
❌ “I always mess up.”
❌ “I’m not good enough.”
Help them practice flipping the thought:
✅ “I am loved and supported.”
✅ “Mistakes help me learn.”
✅ “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
This simple habit builds resilience and self-belief.
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7️⃣ Give Them Access to the Right Tools
Most children don’t have access to mental well-being tools like yoga, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
And that’s why I’m so passionate about training parents and teachers in kids yoga—because these tools change lives.
If you want to be the person who helps a child manage stress, feel confident, and create a positive mindset for life, I’d love you to join me for the next Zenergy Kids Yoga Certification Programme.
👉 Click Here to Join the Waitlist
Together, we can empower the next generation with skills that last a lifetime.
Children today face more stress than ever before. But with the right support, they don’t have to navigate it alone.
Even trying one of these tips today can help a child feel calmer, more confident, and more supported.
💬 Which tip will you try first? Let me know in the comments!
And if you want to go deeper in supporting children’s mental health through yoga, join the waitlist here.
With love,
Loraine x
