Grounding Technique 5 Steps to Calm

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:53:27 GMT

What is Dramatherapy?

Hello,

Welcome to my first blog at Dramatherapy Ireland. Yay!

Okay so before we talk about this amazing grounding technique let’s take a look at what is Dramatherapy!

Dramatherapy is the use of theatre techniques to facilitate personal growth and promote mental health.

Through play we can touch on issues that may be arising and process them by expressing oneself. Emotions, behaviours and situations can be explored through drama games, role play, storytelling, puppetry, masks, myths and fairytales.

At Dramatherapy Ireland, we provide a creative space that allows children to express themselves in a safe and confidential environment. We are specialised in autism, anxiety, attachment issues & bereavement. We have a passion to guide parents in the right direction to promote healthy relationships and healthy minds.

5 Steps To Calm

When we are feeling very anxious, it can help us to have tools or techniques we can use to calm ourselves down. This grounding exercise helps children who may in distress or suffer from anxiety. It is perfect for an anxious child as it is visual, imaginative and involves using your senses. It can be used as any point of the day for a sense of calm and to be in the present moment.

Name:

Five things you can see.

Name:

Four things you can touch

Name:

Three things you can hear

Name:

Two things you can smell

Name:

One thing you can taste

TIP:

If they are struggling to see, hear, feel etc. you can encourage them to use their imagination for example : What would you like to taste?

I also have a colourful image to help with using this grounding technique. Check out below!

I hope this is helpful and can be popped into your anxious survival toolkit for when needed in tricky situations!

At Dramatherapy Ireland, we offer a free consultation where we will discuss the issues arising. We will then arrange an initial meeting/ assessment where we will assess the patients needs and create a treatment plan. We will also recommend a number of sessions that we feel would be beneficial in order to provide the best treatment we possibly can. Once we have reached the initial number of sessions we can arrange to review and discuss further. We are very passionate about providing parents and children with the best possible supporting mechanisms.

Book Your FREE Consultation

Mindfulness for Parents

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:03:13 GMT

Is Parenting Stressful? Ask a Parent.

Almost 3 out of 4 parents said parenting was their biggest challenge and often stressful. Diapers to be changed, food to be prepared, worries about whether you’re doing it right. You want to find a way through all the frustrating moments and be a parent who is there for your child, no matter what.

How Can Mindfulness Help?

Mindfulness is one strategy that can reduce the stress of being a parent. Mindfulness is a way of being. Practicing mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening in the moment and accepting those experiences and feelings without judgment. What does that look like in the everyday life of a parent?

Here are five ways 1 to be mindful as you go about your day.

1. Listen to your child with your full attention.

Sometimes it seems like all we do is listen to our child! But it’s easy to be so focused on our own goals (like getting out of the house on time, getting dinner on the table, answering a friend’s text) that we miss what our children are really trying to say. I don’t want you to leave because I love you so much! Or, I’m tired of being stuck in the stroller. Listening with full attention helps you understand and respond to your child’s needs.

2. Accept your child (and yourself) without judgment.

Parenthood is exhausting. There will be many moments when you judge your child (or yourself) harshly. Acceptance of all feelings, even the negative ones, is important. If you can acknowledge a feeling without being overwhelmed by it, you can respond with patience, rather than react out of frustration and anger.

Knowing what to expect from your child from birth to 3 years old can help you accept her feelings and behaviour with more understanding.

3. Imagine your child’s feelings and match your response.

This strategy asks you to imagine how your child might be feeling during a difficult moment. Your 2- year-old can’t find his blanket and it’s time for bed! Tears and tantrums are up next! When you stop to imagine how your child is feeling, you can respond with love and compassion.

4. Manage your own feelings and reactions.

Mindfulness does not mean parents never get frustrated or angry. It does mean pausing before reacting in stressful situations. Young children don’t know how to manage their feelings yet. If you can be calm when your child is not, she learns that she can depend on you during even her toughest moments.

5. Show compassion for yourself and your child.

Sometimes when young children are very upset, we forget how hard and overwhelming it can be to be so small. Thinking about a situation from a child’s point-of-view helps you respond with compassion. Parents also deserve compassion themselves. Instead of judging and blaming ourselves, we can stop to realize that everyone struggles and these feelings are normal. Self-compassion means recognising that parenting is a process of learning. If your first approach didn’t work the way you wanted, try something else the next time. Many people have very little experience being kind to themselves.

Expert Advice

Grounding Technique 5 Steps to Calm

What is Dramatherapy?

5 Steps To Calm

Book Your FREE Consultation

Mindfulness for Parents

Is Parenting Stressful? Ask a Parent.

How Can Mindfulness Help?

1. Listen to your child with your full attention.

2. Accept your child (and yourself) without judgment.

3. Imagine your child’s feelings and match your response.

4. Manage your own feelings and reactions.

5. Show compassion for yourself and your child.

Dramatherapy Ireland work on the role of mindfulness in early childhood education. Join Our upcoming Seminar on Mindfulness For Parents