subject: Family Stress Management...The Holistic Alternative [print this page] All families are subjected to stress, handling work home, and school schedules exacts a toll on our relationships with our spouses, children, and friends. Most parents either fantasize about a long relaxing bath or a fun afternoon in the park without the kids however, the truth is "time to relax" often ends up on the bottom of the "to do" list. Finding simple. natural ways to incorporate family stress management should be as easy 1...2...3... breathe. Reiki:As parents we often feel debilitated by the needs of our children, spouse, and work. What if there was a easy to energize the body, mind, and spirit while also enhancing our ability to parent? Reiki, a gentle hands-on healing therapy, promotes relaxation, eases pain and reduces anxiety and stress. Practitioners of Reiki offer a calming hands on healing therapy that can be offered at bedtime, homework, or just sitting on the couch, is ideal for parents looking for a natural way to comfort their children as well as a tool for family stress management leading to a peaceful, calmer, more balanced family life. Doing a helpful deed together: Working on a project as a family, especially one that helps others, encourages family members to work together as a team. When everyone is committed to collecting food for the hungry, giving used toys, or creating a "Nice Gestures Jar" to encourage your children doing nice things for each family member leads to empathy, kindness, and teamwork, empowering the family to be able to face challenges, work together as a team and provide opportunities for open communication and problem solving as a family. Guided imagery: Progressive muscle relaxation or breathing techniques are easily incorporated into any busy schedule. Using games to teach children how to tense and relax muscles or party blowers for learning proper breathing techniques are strategies that are both fun and engaging. At bedtime ask kids to imagine a special place, using all five senses have your child tell in as much detail as possible by adding this activity to your bedtime routine may lead to increased relaxation for both parent and child thus better family stress management. Creating a supportive natural environment that strives to decrease stress for the family does not have to be scheduled or planned but can be easily integrated into daily activities. Using simple natural techniques like Reiki, guided imagery or just working together on a project, being nice to one another or those in need, creates an environment where children feel supported, parents feel less anxious about parenting leading to better family stress management.
Family Stress Management...The Holistic Alternative
