July 16, 2026
Anxiety in Children: 6 Gentle Tips to Calm Your Anxious Child
- Practice simple relaxation exercises with your child by having them gently tense and then release different muscle groups. You will notice that as their physical tension melts away, their mind begins to settle and calm down as well.
- Ask your child to pause and listen to the sounds around them, encouraging them to find 5 distinct sounds in their environment. Redirecting their focus to the present moment helps quiet racing thoughts and brings a sense of ease.
- If your child is old enough to write, invite them to write down their worries on slips of paper and place them inside a special box. You can encourage them to decorate this box to look like a guardian that can hold their worries safely for them, such as a strong, friendly bear or a brave knight.
- Ask your child to close their eyes and imagine holding a beautiful flower. Have them breathe in deeply to smell its sweet fragrance, and then slowly blow the air out. Deep, controlled breathing exercises improve oxygen flow and signal the brain that it is safe to relax.
- You can create a DIY 'calming jar' (or glitter jar) together. Watching the swirling glitter slowly settle to the bottom is a wonderful, visual way for children to quiet their minds and stabilize their emotions.
- Choose comforting, gentle sounds or ambient music for your child to listen to when they feel overwhelmed. Soft nature sounds, like gentle ocean waves or falling rain, can be incredibly soothing for a restless mind.