Sophrology for adolescents: when, why and how?

Adolescence is a stage of growth that occurs between the age of a child and adulthood. It generally begins around the age of twelve for girls and fourteen for boys. It is the age of puberty. It is a period of life when the way we look at our surroundings changes. It can also be part of a crisis phase. Sophrology support sessions are a valuable tool for teaching adolescents to channel their emotions and soothe their internal and external tensions.

It is during adolescence that young people begin to see their future take shape. It is also at this time of their existence that they may encounter apprehension in relation to their orientation, both personally and academically.

Sophrology can help a teenager when he begins to suffer from stress, anxiety, discouragement or a loss of self-confidence.

Similarly, teenagers experience fluctuations in energy as well as moments of fatigue. A sophrologist can help them take control of the situation and regain quality sleep allowing them to enjoy restful nights.

Adolescence is also a time for living new experiences. By learning about life, the teenager discovers his own values. This is when he builds his self-esteem. It is also at this time that important psychological changes occur. New centers of interest are emerging, sometimes mixed with new objectives.

Support sessions in sophrology encourage the teenager to become more independent. It allows him to mobilize his resources and improve his well-being on a daily basis. In addition, in case of pathology, they tend to improve the state of health of the person.

Thanks to the tools at its disposal, the practice intervenes on the management of stress related to this age, in all its forms.

In addition to improving the management of anxiety attacks, anxiety, insomnia or chronic lassitude, sophrology can also accompany addictions: tobacco, alcohol, games… The practice also intervenes on various disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, asthma, and eating disorders.

Sophrology helps adolescents to manage their impulses through techniques to drive out their anxiety and promote self-control.

Sessions to help prepare for exams

Whether academically or professionally, the prospect of an exam or a competition is often synonymous with stress, anxiety, fatigue and doubts. To prevent young people from losing all their means during written and oral presentations, sophrology can be a precious help.

Sophrology sessions for teenagers last approximately 50 minutes. 2 to 3 sessions may be sufficient if it is a recent discomfort or stress problems. If the problem is persistent (for several years), about ten sessions will probably be necessary.

The session often ends with a small exchange on the feelings of the teenager.

Exercises to promote confidence and self-seeking

The sessions generally begin with dynamic relaxation exercises whose movements are inspired by yoga.

The sophrologist uses exercises to achieve controlled breathing: inspirations, expirations, apnea time .Muscle relaxation exercises (contraction, relaxation) are added afterwards. Inspired by hypnosis, mental suggestion exercises come into play with the visualization of images, memories…

They continue with a process of physical and psychic relaxation, which Alfonso Caycedo, the founder of sophrology, described as sophronization.

An accompaniment to the transformations of the body

During adolescence, young people sometimes find themselves confronted with a difficult relationship with their body, which changes rapidly, and the gaze of others. They may have problems with food or practice a sport to excess. They are also sometimes anchored in static postures, riveted to screens. These manifestations can taint self-realization.

This period is also accompanied by physical transformations due to hormonal surges. This is preparation for adulthood. The discovery of sexuality, the construction of identity… are developments to be considered in the crisis of adolescence. Sophrology also allows teenagers to cope with physical transformations. It offers them tools to build their identity, assert themselves and find a state of well-being to live happily and fulfilled. It teaches them to detach themselves from the gaze and judgment of others, and to take a benevolent look at themselves.

Through the dynamic relaxation exercises of sophrology, adolescents can become familiar with their body image. Thus, they better understand the body-mind connection and realize that they have the power to produce their own physical, mental and emotional well-being.

By acting on the body and the mind, through listening to the feelings of the adolescent, sophrology represents a precious help in adolescence, a key moment in development and self-knowledge.