6 ways your inner child can help you heal – from sound sleep to being present

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Remember how carefree you were as a child, living in the moment and finding joy in every day? Adulthood takes a toll on our health and wellbeing but, says child psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer, “Connecting to our inner child is great for both our physical and mental health. “Keeping curious and doing things just for fun helps life-long learning, while working on your fitness and flexibility could add years to your life. “See the world through a child’s eye and you’ll enjoy the benefits of a more active and fulfilling life, no matter how old you are!” Bend it like baby Bet you recall a time when you could so easily touch your toes and curl up very small?

As we age, we lose these abilities, but, says wellbeing and fitness expert Sara Picken-Brown (sarapickenbrown.com), it’s vital to maintain them as adults. “Ageing increases the chances of joint and soft tissue injuries as we lose our flexibility and sense of balance,” she says. “Working on flexibility in the spine and hips improves balance and protects muscles and joints. “Gentle yoga or stretching also helps with the body’s ability to carry oxygen around.

Breathe deeply to unlock more energy.” Try this: Child’s pose – from all fours, send your hips back towards your heels and reach your hands out in front of you.Take five slow, deep breaths here and release.

Be more present Being present in the moment beats stress and kids do this naturally, says Dr Gummer. “Children are often faced with new environments and this encourages them to focus on the moment, concentrate, learn and be themselves.