STRICTLY TWEENS
Tips:
Calming Down
when Anxious
Anxiety haunts teenagers and many adults in this day and age. Especially
teens, with judging and drama, it can stay on their shoulders like a bad hair-
cut. Along with suffering from anxiety itself, you get anxiety and/or panic
attacks. That insane feeling when the room spins and your breathing hitch-
es. Calming down is hard and necessary.
To help calm down, focus on what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. Fo-
cusing on your five senses can help distract you from the panic and anxiety.
Look around and start describing what is around, either in your head or
aloud.
Try guided imagery. Visualize something relaxing. Focus on the details. It’s
kind of like your “happy place.” Focus on the small details of this happy place
to help calm down. When your mind stays put on small things, it stays off of
the anxiety,
Distract yourself. Count backwards or recite your favorite song. Distraction
is a very good way to get your mind away from panic. Focus on something
that takes concentration.
Pat your thighs with your hands in a rhythmic way. Do it as if you were the
percussion section of an orchestra and it’s up to you to keep the beat. You
want to do 20 pats; the rhythm is important for regulating your breaths,
your thoughts, and your heartbeat.
I highly hope that one or all of these will help you through your next attack.
Almost everyone has some form of anxiety, so just remember you are not
alone. Ever. Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses. Just re-
member these tactics , and I’m sure it will be smooth sailing!
Hope, 13
May/June 2017
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