Pleasant Activities are Therapeutic for Children
I recently worked with a 15-year-old client who was feeling incredibly stressed about school. He was so overwhelmed that he wanted to stay in bed all day. He was even contemplating a transition to online school next semester.
During his finals week, I recommended he take 30-minute breaks from studying to go outside and notice the trees, the sky, and the birds. In our most recent session, he reported that he took these breaks per my recommendation and returned feeling more relaxed and ready to tackle his next task.
What Research Says About Pleasant Activities
It can seem counterintuitive to engage in pleasant activities when our minds are preoccupied with worries. As adults, we can all relate to this. However, doing something enjoyable can be incredibly helpful.
Research shows that pleasurable activities — such as hobbies, playing sports, or spending time in nature — act as “restorers” in that they allow an individual to recover by replenishing depleted resources.
Pleasant Activities That Can Be Beneficial For Kids
Engage your child in these activities that relieve stress and increase positive feelings:
- Playing in the park, going for a walk, or simply observing nature
- Creative hobbies like drawing, painting, or crafting
- Stretching, yoga, and other simple exercises that get their heart rate up
- Reading their favorite books just for fun
- Playing board games or card games
Every child has different preferences, which is why we created a worksheet that lets them pick more options based on their personality and interests!
Download our 101 pleasant activities worksheet.
You can support your child in increasing their chances of positive future events by helping them work on their values, and short and long-term goals related to engaging in pleasant activities.
*This article was originally published in our email newsletter on December 17, 2024.
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