Inside this post: a simple learning curriculum to start teaching students how to recognize, manage, and overcome feelings of anxiety.
I was recently asked about what trends I am seeing most in students these days. I did not have to hesitate for a moment. The answer: anxiety.
From what I am seeing on a day to day basis - kids are anxious at home, at school and everywhere in between!
Let's break this anxious cycle.
Anxiety, like many things, becomes a response or emotional reflex in our bodies. The more our body gets practice being anxious, the quicker our bodies learn to go there, because -
What we practice grows stronger.
Anxiety can become a habit. It can become a routine.
Do you start to worry each night as your brain and body start to wind down for bed? For many, the answer is yes. Our minds are more vulnerable at this time of day because the noise and distractions have begun to quiet. And what happens if a seed of anxiety is planted? You guessed it, worry and anxiety will grow. What if we plant calm instead?
Road Closed.
Recently, my coworker and I were talking about anxiety. She was sharing that her son was having trouble sleeping. As I talked with her, I realized that in her son's mind "the road for worry" was paved and open for traffic. It was fresh asphalt for carloads of fear, worry and unrealistic thoughts. He began to identify himself with worry. He started using self statements that solidified his anxiety. And he would fall into a routine of worry each night. That was what he was practicing.
Anxiety and worry are like that - they quickly get comfy and cozy with routine:
Shower.
Brush Teeth.
Pajamas.
Anxiety.
Or...
Wake up.
Get dressed
Breakfast.
Anxiety.
I shared with her the idea of creating a road block for worry. Literally, beginning to shut down that pathway of unproductive thoughts that start to spiral.
Breaking the habit.
Introducing a new practice.
Sorry, Anxiety Avenue is CLOSED.
I encouraged her to talk with her son about this process - of naming and recognizing what is happening and then start a new routine. Say aloud, "I am not going to worry about this. I am okay. The road to anxiety is closed." Choose a new practice.
As we set new habits, (old ones are hard to break) - our brain will be tempted to make detours to worry - or maybe get creative and build a bridge from one thought to an anxious thought, BUT we can call our anxiety out!
"You're tricky, but I'm not letting you take control. I have the power to be calm. I have the ability to plant calm. I choose to be calm."
Practice.
Practice.
Practice.
What you practice grows stronger.
I want to shout this message for all to hear. My students. Their parents. My coworkers. My friends. My family. Because I am that passionate about it!!
Worry is running rampant. It's driving pavers all over our brains and trying to make in-roads for anxiety. Teaching our students and children the strategies to overcome and rise up from anxiety is a necessity.
Skills and strategies to calm are powerfully effective. They are transferrable to many settings and situations.
Teaching students the skills of planting seeds of calm over worry is paramount for their emotional well being. It is another life long tool that will help them well into adulthood.
I admit, it's a huge undertaking to combat anxiety. Anxiety is an industry that is rocking our world!
What if we taught managing anxiety like we taught 2+2 and ABC?
Honestly, these are fundamental skills to development. Incorporating this learning into our curriculum is vital.
It can be overwhelming to even know how to address anxiety and where to begin. It begins with conversation. With recognition. And then, with learning how to successfully own your calm and your emotional responses. I continue to use this curriculum and it's components on a weekly basis to guide my students to calm.
This topic runs at the very cornerstone of The Mindful Apple and continues to drive the vision and purpose - empowering teachers to empower students.
As we continue our work, we are empowering youth to not be overrun and overburdened by anxiety.
🍏Stay Mindful,
Victoria
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