Feb 14 , 2022
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Anxiety Comes in All Shapes and Sizes
Anxiety!
Sometimes just thinking about it causes it!
Regular Anxiety: a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. (not classified as 'chronic')
Sensory Anxiety: anxiety that is the direct result of sensory overload / overstimulation.
Social Anxiety: an anxiety disorder characterised by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: An anxiety disorder characterised by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry, and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
I'm sure we can all relate to these with ourselves and our children, but let's take some comfort that we are not alone.
What can we do about it?
Call it out - This will create distance between you and your anxiety as well as acceptance that it is there!
Breathe - This will activate your nervous system to find your rest response.
Inhale deeply through your nose, expand your stomach then
Exhale - slowly and steadily through your nose for 4 seconds
Repeat - do this for 1 whole minute
How can we help someone else?
Listen - be open and accept they are feeling this way. You do not need to solve this!
Validation - Acknowledge how hard this is for them
Recognise their struggles and their strengths. Encourage them to talk to someone when they are ready
Look after yourself - You can be there for someone but know your boundaries and your own emotional energy levels.
(think of what you are told when you fly in a plane. Put the mask on yourself first...you can not help anyone else if you are not ok).