7 Things to Know About Mind and Body Practices for Children and Teens

Mind and body practices are not only popular with adults, but are also used for children. Studies of meditation and mindfulness techniques in children suggest some benefits for psychological symptoms such as anxiety, as well as improvements in emotion regulation, attention, and ability to focus. Yoga may help young children learn to self-regulate, focus on the task at hand, and handle problems peacefully. Yoga may also improve balance, relieve tension, and increase strength when practiced regularly. For adolescents, yoga may be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety.

Here are some things you should know if you’re planning to have your child use a mind and body practice.

Like mindfulness and yoga, biofeedback and guided imagery have evidence of being helpful for children and are low risk.
Acupuncture appears to be safe for most children, but side effects can occur if it’s done by poorly trained practitioners.
Massage therapy appears to have few risks when done by a trained practitioner.
Spinal manipulation is usually safe for healthy people but is also associated with rare but serious complications.

It’s important to talk with your child’s health care provider about any complementary health approach you’re using or considering for your child. Complementary approaches, including mind and body practices, should not be used to replace or delay getting medical treatment for a health problem.