The Two Surprising Things That Belong in Every Child’s Bedroom (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)
Turning a child's bedroom into a calm sanctuary is easier than you think.
Picture your child’s bedroom.
What’s inside?
A bed. Obviously.
A dresser or cupboard. Usually.
A desk or table. Tick.
Posters. Often.
Mess on the floor. Good chance.
School or pre-school bag. Probably.
Night light. Perhaps.
What have I missed? Maybe a screen, a ball or two, some toys, sports clothes……
Two items that I’d include
If you pictured a pot plant and fish tank (with fish), well done.
These aren’t the usual inclusions in a child’s room, but they should be.
If I had my children again, these are two items I’d definitely include, particularly for my more anxiety-prone child.
1. Watch a screen of a different kind - a fish tank, no less
Technology is a big ticket item for many kids. But screens are designed to stimulate.
And that’s not always what kids need.
If you’ve ever watched fish in a fish tank, you know how calming it is.
It’s a contemplative experience, bringing you into the present in a heart beat..
It’s no coincidence that many hospital and dental waiting rooms have fish tanks. They calm the nerves. Take away fear. Neutralise the nerves.
Technically, they calm the lizard brain and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and rational thinking.
A bedroom with a fish tank is wonderful for your child to retreat to when life gets busy, stressful or overwhelming.
2. Take the outside indoors with a plant or two
Kids’ mental health would be way better if they had less screen time and more green-time.
In my book Anxious Kids, I wrote about the worldwide movement encouraging people to spend time in the natural environment.
Turns out time spent in nature is good for you. Who knew?
Town planners across the globe are exploring ways to incorporate more natural landscapes into urban environments. (Our forefathers knew a thing or two when they created cities with extensive parks and gardens.)
Neuroscience shows that spending time among plants reduces cortisol levels, the stress hormone that helps maintain anxious states. If you can’t get your kids outside, do as the Scandinavians do and bring the outdoors inside.
Scandinavians experience long, dark, cold winters that keep them indoors for extended periods. Recognising the positive effect of greenery, they fill their homes and apartments with plants and shrubs.
(Aside: My son, who lives with his family in Sweden, has a veritable garden inside his home, including a veggie patch, climbers and creepers!!!)
Researchers have found that we respond positively to things that are good for us, and we associate protection, nutrition and survival with trees and forests.
If you’ve already filled your home or apartment with plants and shrubs it will be relatively easy to move one or two plants into your child’s room.
If plants are a little sparse, a visit to a nursery may be one of the best things you can do for your child’s wellbeing next weekend.
Finally
Your child’s bedroom is many things. Sleeping quarters. Play room. Occasional Sin bin.
But with the addition of an indoor plant or two and a fish tank, you can Contemplative Sanctuary to that list.
And that’s something we can all do with - yes, that includes parents too!