Bilateral Stimulation Activities (PDF)

There are times when emotions like anger, stress, or anxiety feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to stay calm or think clearly. One useful technique is called bilateral stimulation, which involves movements that engage both sides of the brain and body, like tapping your hands, marching, or using the butterfly hug. These simple actions help calm the nervous system. The Bilateral Stimulation Activities handout (Right-Left Calming Techniques) teaches 4 easy activities to help a client calm down. Each activity comes with simple, step-by-step instructions, so it’s easy to remember and use whenever needed. The handout also includes clear illustrations that show how to do each movement. These bilateral stimulation activities offer many benefits for children and teens, such as increased focus, reduced anxiety, and better emotional regulation. Feel free to pair one activity with calming tools, such as a soothing scent like lavender oil. It’s important to remind young people to practice these activities when they’re feeling relaxed, so they’re easier to use in moments of overwhelm. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of coping skills worksheets and handouts. References: Amano, T., & Toichi, M. (2016). The Role of Alternating Bilateral Stimulation in Establishing Positive Cognition in EMDR Therapy: A Multi-Channel Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study. PLoS ONE, 11(10), e0162735. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162735 Koulivand, P. H., Ghadiri, M. K., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, 2013, 681304. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/681304 Harvard Health. (2024a, April 3). Understanding the stress response. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response