Sensory Help Now

Life can sometimes feel rushed and overwhelming, especially when you have many decisions and activities to attend. Today's young people seem busier than ever, and along with the positive aspects of it, the digital world and social media can sometimes add to the pressure of daily life. Things can even feel more overwhelming for teens and young people with sensory processing differences. This blog post contains some ideas for nurturing and calming activities for teens and young people when they need a break. The activities below have been selected as they are low-cost or free to access.

1. Colouring

There are a number of mindfulness colouring books available, as well as free downloads on the internet. Colouring and staying in the lines gives the brain something to focus on other than the stressor. Further, participating in visual arts has been linked to resilience to stress in general. Other ideas include painting by numbers or painting pottery.

2. Jump Around

Jumping is a great way to let off steam, whether this is jumping on a trampette or trampoline or just using a skipping rope. Further, jumping is a heavy work activity that promotes motor planning, balance, and muscle development! It is also a great way for teens who are sensory seekers to regulate themselves.

3. Have a Designated Calm Space

Whether it's a corner in the room with a favourite pillow or beanbag or even a space in another room, a space away from a desk or workspace is important for teens when they feel overwhelmed by homework or studying. Even a few minutes of time out in a calm space can help alleviate stress and help young people look at their work with fresh eyes when they get back to their study space.

4. Exercise

Any form of exercise, including running and walking, can be a helpful activity for a teen who is stressed or overwhelmed. Fresh air and movement can be helpful to restore balance, and the rhythm of the movement can be soothing for many teens. 

5. Downward Dog Yoga Pose

This is a calming pose for teens and young people, as in this pose, their head is lower than their heart, so it improves the blood flow through their body. The flow of blood to the brain can help to relieve headaches, mental fogginess, and mild depression. As this pose places weight on the arms and shoulders, it is also great for building upper body strength and providing proprioceptive feedback, which is calming and organising for the nervous system.

In summary, the tips and calming activities above focus on strategies to help teens and young people be more regulated by providing either sensory input, distraction or focusing on physiological responses to help reduce stress and anxiety.

To learn more about how sensory processing differences can impact teens and young people and to get more information on how to support them, check out our free course: "Understanding Sensory Processing and Integration in Teenagers and Young Adults".

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