how to catch anxiety off-guard

Anxiety

In this post, we’ll talk about the vibration of anxiety and some techniques to teach your child, your students and yourself how to slowly step out through mindfulness.

Bottom line, kids are too stressed out lately. I still thank my lucky stars that Facebook wasn’t invented until I was in college. If I grew up with that, let alone a phone I would have gone insane. The face to face snarky remarks, the passive aggression, the cliques – I don’t think I could have handled online harassment, added to recent pressures kids have to study for tests every few months, the good grades they have to keep for the next 8 years before even thinking about applying to college. Its so easy to get caught up in the insane spiral that is anxiety.

The Lowest of Vibrations and how we get stuck

Anxiety is what we call a low vibration.  It is one of the lowest on the scale of hundreds and hundreds of emotions. It doesn't do anyone any good, yet our body learns to tolerate it. And gets to know its a little better. Then gets addicted to it. And we create comfort around it, and that’s the end of that. Anxiety is a normal part of a child's personality.
We get caught up in the feeling, the thoughts. The long list of things weighs strongly on our desire to be the best, throwing us into the “I suck at everything” pit. Mindfulness activates a different part of the brain. We can breath to calm our hearts. Our calm hearts can redirect our thoughts. Our attention can shift and we can detach from anxiety little by little. We can change our thoughts through the calm of our face paced beating heart.

Tips to break free

Gratitude: One of my favorite quotes is “Interrupt Anxiety with Gratitude”.  Even if the student is pressed for time, the magic that can happen when we focus on what we’re grateful for, even during the walk from locker to classroom, can change everything.

Breath: When you sense your students get anxious, maybe their head hurting with the to-do list of things, their stomach getting tight, have them focus on your breath. Start to consciously so what your body does to keep you alive. Here are many techniques that have helped yogis, teachers, politicians (PRANAYAMA)

Slow down and smile: Words of wisdom from my coach and friend. Its usually followed with “What does that mean to you”. Have your students try to answer what they think “slowing down” means. When I remind myself of this, I tend to put on some music and walk a little slower. Notice things more. Stop at the red light and notice 3 things you’ve never seen before. Have a positive thought about a stranger. Maybe she’s got a cute purse or he looks like he’d be a good musician.

Meditate: Sitting and consciously connecting to your breath for 2 minutes is wonderful. To music, to silence. Imagine your thought disappearing. Do this however you’d like. I like to pretend the universe is a huge magnet and sucks up whatever thought I have in a swift motion, leaving me with, of course a million other thoughts, but it does get rid of one at a time.  

This is a process. A practice. This is not easy stuff.  Take it easy and congratulate yourself whenever you make the effort. And that’ll show with your students too. 😊