When we are born, if they leave us on the skin of our mother, we smell it and feel its heat for the first time in a new and unknown world, we calm down, we guide ourselves to its chest and take our first food. Skin to skin, in a few minutes nature has prepared a great experience.
But, little by little, that intimate contact can be left behind, and the same goes for dad, who used to bathe them, lull them, massage them ... Our children may no longer be babies, but there are many ways to achieve those positive emotions that generate relaxation physical contact with children.
In our adult world, physical contact is relegated to a few moments of intimacy and a few people, but that distancing, fortunately, may not occur with our children. Physical contact generates great emotional well-being, and it could be said that when we approach our children bodily, we also do it emotionally.
And if for us feeling close to the little ones involves a whole discharge of positive emotions, the same happens to them. It is proven that children who grow up without physical contact are more insecure and in severe cases (children who grow up in institutions, without attachment figures ...) evolutionary delays in cognitive and social skills can be observed.
But you don't have to go so far. Probably among our readers there are those who grew up in a family little given to physical contact, and I think that shows when it comes to interacting with other people in adulthood. But, regardless of the consequences, which can be mild and easily overcome, surely what is most missed (and perhaps less understood from our new perspective as parents) is that our parents will not hug us or kiss us frequently.
Today we talk about five forms of physical contact and relaxation that generate well-being in our children, five ways to approach our babies and children to spend an unforgettable moment, feeling, enjoying each other. Relaxation will provide us with well-being and contributes to the decrease of physiological activation, ideal for stress states, nerves or before going to sleep. Physical contact also motivates wellness experiences and contributes to the good development of social relationships.
Hugs to children
After hugging with our children we feel better, that's why we claim hugs for all occasions. A hug, a "achuchón", is a source of security and love that comes in handy at any time. It invites to take care of others and to feel care, generating many positive emotions, strengthening self-esteem, reducing anxiety and releasing dopamine, responsible for good humor and motivation.
Breath deeply
We can invite our son to imagine that It's a big balloon that inflates and deflates. Raising the arms over the head while we inflate to the maximum and put them back next to the body while we deflate, forcing the expulsion of all the air. We can also practice extended abdominal breathing on the floor by placing an object on the child's belly so that he tries to raise and lower it with each breath.
If we teach you to control your breathing and to practice this exercise in moments of nerves, you will learn to relax and find well-being. In addition, this is a first step to access more complex techniques, such as some forms of relaxation at home that we have already talked about. Do you cheer up?
Massage for the baby or child
Not all babies like it, but as they grow older they become more friends with the massages. Massages have multiple benefits, they have a relaxing effect, tensions are released ... and from time to time they can massage us! A home spa session never hurts ...
Massages can also be done in pairs, with each other, with hands or with objects such as balls, covering the whole body or only part (head, feet, hands ...), imagining that we lather, or that we knead pizza ... Any way to massage will love it.
Relaxation and exercise: yoga for children
Yoga for children has many benefits for the body and mind and leads us to a state of well-being and relaxation if we practice it with them. Starting with the basic positions, we can move towards more complex practices. It is not necessary to be a great expert or go to classes, all these proposals are simple to make at home. On the internet there are many videos that can help you ... and soon you will add your own positions!
Listen to music
We arrived at the musical moment of the day. The one in which body and mind is activated, thanks to which we can play or relax before bedtime. Each music has its moment, but if we seek relaxation and physical contact ... how about a hugged dance? Or some music to calm down? Although the type of music will be very different for each child ... you have to discover the different possibilities!
In short, let's think about that well-being that our nature has prepared for us. Many positive emotions are activated when we approach our children, let's not miss this opportunity to relax, to feel good, to feel better, to be closer, to strengthen our bonds. That time does not pass and when grown-ups miss those hugs or think that we could have been more affectionate with them, closer.
Photos | iStockPhoto
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