Meditation and Childhood Anxiety
Updated: Feb 10
When used alongside other forms of therapy, meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Meditation can help alleviate childhood anxiety in several ways:
Reduces stress and anxiety: Meditation teaches children to focus on the present moment and calm their thoughts, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
Promotes relaxation: Meditation helps children develop relaxation skills that they can use to manage symptoms of anxiety. Controlled breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are two common techniques used in meditation to promote relaxation.
Improves self-awareness: Meditation helps children become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to identify and challenge negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety.
Boosts resilience: Meditation can help children develop resilience, allowing them to better cope with stress and anxiety in the future.
Increases mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation helps children focus on the present moment, reducing worries about the future and regrets about the past, which can contribute to anxiety.
It's important to note that meditation should not be used as a replacement for traditional therapy or medication for childhood anxiety. However, incorporating meditation into a comprehensive treatment plan can be helpful for reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being. It may be especially beneficial when used in conjunction with other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help children learn to manage their anxiety more effectively.