It’s the middle of summertime so minds easily wander to days by the lake and waterfront boardwalks. Sunshine sure is synonymous with the salty ocean breeze and radiant river rapids. If we’re not lucky enough to spend time on a boat somewhere, we’re likely at least daydreaming about warm outings afloat. Sailboats, motorboats or faithful ‘ole fishing boats – a day on the water (or at least lazing near the water) is about as relaxing as it gets!

But what if we told you that you could enjoy a soothing, peaceful experience without a kayak or rowboat in tow? Ever heard of a compression canoe? Although not recommended for use on the water, it provides so much sensory input goodness that it’ll transform a typically ho-hum summer afternoon into a calming experience like no other!

Parents and educators alike – we all seem to have a few go-to sensory strategies tucked up our sleeve to help soothe and calm kids when they most need it. Some strategies are instinctive, like rocking a crying baby, while others require some type of equipment, like wearing a weighted vest. There are so many options to choose from but, as we know, one size never fits all. What works for one child (or adult) and their regulation needs will not necessarily work well (or in the same way) for someone else.

Understanding sensory systems is a great place to start when you’re trying to make sense of someone’s physical regulation needs. Have you ever seen a newborn baby discontent or crying, and someone wraps them in a swaddle? The baby suddenly quiets, settles down comfortably, and you’re left wondering what perfectly bewitching act of sorcery you’ve just witnessed. Swaddling offers lots of deep pressure input that many people, no matter what their age, find extremely relaxing. Why is that?

Deep pressure offers the body proprioceptive input. Proprioception is one of our body’s main sensory systems. It’s our sense that helps us “make sense” of where we are within our environment (our position) and it perceives how our body physically moves. This system includes our sense of balance, force, and heaviness. Receptors involved in proprioception are found in our skin, our muscles, and our joints. Tools and activities that provide deep pressure – like weighted blankets, strong massages, swaddles, and compression canoes – can feel extremely regulating to someone’s autonomic nervous system, especially if they’re struggling with sensory processing, sensory integration, anxiety, and/or self-regulation. (That’s also one of the reasons why manimo’s weighted animals are such a big hit!!)

The autonomic nervous system manages a person’s breathing, our heart rate, and regulates activity between our fight/flight/freeze response and our restorative functions. Deep pressure can modulate – or balance out – our subconscious responses from the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, potentially calming our reactivity and organizing the sensory systems.

So, what’s so great about using a compression canoe then? This sensory tool is perfect for easy transportation (so you could quite literally lug it to the beach!). Depending on the amount of air you fill the canoe with and the size of its occupant, the deep pressure input varies. A canoe full of air offers lots of tight compression and therefore, plenty of proprioceptive and tactile input to the skin, joints and muscles. Deflate and voilà, the sides provide less proprioceptive input. The canoe’s fun to play in when you challenge your balance by gently rocking back and forth to simulate the ocean’s waves. This tool packs as much function as fun when it’s used as a cool place to sit, chill, and connect with others. Add a weighted blanket (and a good book!) for an even more calming, deeply regulating effect.

Rebecca Leslie, educational consultant at arcs.solutions

 

 

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