Children today do less physical exercise than in the past, when they spent the day playing in the street, and they are more closed in on themselves, developing poor posture and concentration problems that, in many cases, lead to hyperactivity problems (ADHD ). Exposed to the pressure of everyday life, children begin to experience symptoms of stress , such as headaches or stomachaches, mood swings, fears, or sleep problems.
We are all aware of how relaxing a massage can be for these types of problems, especially before sleeping, being beneficial to achieve a deep and restful sleep, and recent studies indicate that this is especially important for children. According to research from the University of Miami, parents should give their children massages frequently, no matter how old they are, because with them they can improve not only their physical health, but also their mental health.
But this is not something new, since in certain places of African and Asian culture , this type of ritual has been practiced before going to sleep for centuries. Massage is an age-old practice that can soothe children, allowing them to relax and get better sleep.
Touch is the first sense that a baby develops, so it is an essential component for our well-being. If parents do not put too much emphasis on having physical contact with their children from an early age, it can lead to what doctors call ‘growth retardation’, which in some cases can be fatal. Those children who have more physical contact with their parents will have better self-esteem and will show their emotions better with others through contact and the expression of emotions.
Other benefits of massage to consider
- Stress reduction
- Improved digestion of food.
- Improvement of the respiratory system.
- Improved mood.
There are specialty techniques such as shiatsu, which promote children’s health by stimulating the immune system. The shiatsu technique supports their emotional stability and can give them the peace they need to deal with their daily challenges, channeling their tension into relaxation and balancing activity and rest.
With these techniques, children experience confidence and security , helping them to develop their physical and mental capacities, such as:
- Relax and increase your well-being.
- Improve concentration and stamina.
- Strengthen self-confidence.
- Achieve expanding awareness of your body and its limits.
- Relieve the back.
- Promote your social and communication skills.
- Minimize the fear of going to school.
