Anxiety is a normal emotion; we all experience it from time to time. It is only a problem if it gets in the way of us living a happy and fulfilled life.

Normalising anxiety

Firstly, it’s important for adults to normalise anxiety with children. When adults talk openly about their own anxious experiences whilst encouraging children to do the same, it builds emotional literacy, resilience, self-esteem and much more!

We can reduce the stigma around mental health when we let young people know that it is ok, not to be ok. The important thing is to develop self-regulation tools to manage difficult feelings.

Worry Time

This is a regular time slot for a young person to talk, write or draw what’s on their mind with a trusted non-judgemental adult. This can be an effective way of encouraging children to face their fears whilst getting any anxious thoughts and feelings off their chest. This does not have to be problem-solving activity; it can simply be a process of listening and creating a safe space for the young person to release the anxious thoughts and feelings weighing them down.

For more guidance, take a look at this resource 

STOPP technique

Stop: step back and focus on something else

Take a breath: use the 5 finger breathing technique 

Observe:            

• What am I actually reacting to?

• What thoughts are going through my mind right now?

• What sensations do I notice in my body?

• What else do I notice right here and now?

Pull back: 

• Is there another way of looking at this?

• What are the facts?

• What advice would I give to a friend in this situation?

Proceed – practise what works:

• Where can I focus my attention right now?

• What is the helpful for me to do now?

• How can I move forward and learn from this?