Handling your child's hyperactivity & guided meditation

Have you ever been frustrated with and overactive child and wondered how you can temper their hyperactivity?

One of the most powerful ways to help your child be 'still' and at a place of calm is through meditation...more specifically guided meditation. In our fast-paced society, we are in such a hurry everyday that it comes as no surprise our children follow suit. T.V. dinners, fast travel, edge-of-the-seat entertainment and so on.

Meditation has many positive effects on an individual. But let's concentrate on the calming effect it has on a child. During guided meditation, the guide (ideally you) takes them through a balanced breathing process - 4 secs breathing in and 4 secs breathing out, for example. The child is guided by talking them through the breathing for a 60 to 90 seconds. Once the breathing has stabilised, you can talk them through an imaginary walk through a park; observing the stillness of the lake; watching the swan swimming, etc.

The whole idea is to help them use their imagination to conjure up an image of calmness and stillness. The calming effect that guided meditation has on your child is immediately obvious. But the key is not to overdo it. Start off with a 5 minute meditation and work your way to 10-20 mins. However, do it every day or every other day. That way it becomes habitual.

When I've guided my sons through meditation, not only are they more calm and collected, they also share with me how many creative come into their head. There is a by-product of guided meditation. You can't help be affected yourself.

There are countless books on the wonders of meditation. However, until you've practised this wonderful art, you will never experience the joys of meditation.

Harun Rabbani