Into Your Imagination: Quote by Taylor Swift and Relaxation Exercise

I made this for my kids...and all other kids needing comfort. 

"We were able to escape to that place anytime we had a hard time. Any time you're going through something rough, you can go back into your imagination and you're at Disney World." -- Taylor Swift, as a child she and her brother Austin would imagine they were at Disney World. Source: I'm waiting for my prince! Taylor Swift stuns as Rapunzel in new Disney ad

Using your imagination can be a powerful tool to help cope with stress (cramming for a test, meeting new friends, working through family problems, etc). 

                                           Even Rapunzel needs to take a deeep breath!

Here's one easy exercise to use your imagination to reduce stress and anxiety, and help you feel better:

1) Take 3 deep breaths, breathe slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. 
NOTE: If taking a breath is hard for you, make a sound that is comforting or funny like a snake's hisssss (in deep breath, out hissss) or a train noise (my toddler loves this, in deep breath, out chooo chooo). Be creative with your sounds, and willing to try new things!

2) Listening to music, nature sounds or sitting in silence may also help you relax. A lava lamp, water fountain, or Dream Lite may also be helpful. Maybe lay on a pile of pillows. Or cuddle up under a fleece blanket. 

3) Close your eyes and imagine the scene in full detail... if you are at Disney World, imagine your feet touching the cobbled paths, the sun shining on your shoulders. Smell the buttery popcorn being sold at a street vendor. Imagine yourself walking toward the castle, the excitement to discover what is inside...Cinderella greets you at the door in her glittery blue dress, greeting you like an old friend...the creaky castle door opens...  Imagine!

4) Enjoy the scene for a few minutes then slowly open your eyes. Take a few deep breaths in and out. This time say something positive to yourself like: I am going to be okay. Today is going to be a great day. I am awesome. I will do fine on my test. I am lovable. etc. Take a few minutes to come back--stretch, wiggle your toes, turn on music etc. Then stand and get ready to face the world and it's adventures!

5) If you have done a relaxation exercise or other coping skills and your day is still tough or things are not going the way you wanted, that's okay! You don't have to make things perfect, the point is to get to a place where you feel calm and confident. Being able to cope with challenges in a positive way is a way cool :) And sometimes, you may need to ask a grown up for extra help. 

Other ways to deal with stress:

*Laugh - Watch a funny video/TV show. Hang out with friends. Tell a joke. Etc
*Play with your pets or go for a walk with your dog.
*Listen to upbeat, positive music. Dance. Sing. Listen to Music with friends. Sing in the car. 
*Pray. Read a Bible or devotional. Go to Youth Group or Church Groups. 
*Exercise or play sports. Rollerblade. Go for a walk. Hang out at the park with friends. 
*Journal or draw. Scrapbook. Collect Stickers. 
*Get plenty of sleep at night.
*Ask for help from an adult.

Any more ideas?? Please leave a comment below!

Best Wishes ~ Daylen Swift

                Ariel wasn't always a stunning mermaid... she went to high school too! xoxo


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