Managing Anxious Responses: Stop, Name Your Feeling(s), and Calm Down

We have become very good at recognizing what anxiety looks like, but what do we do when we realize what’s happening to us? Take some time to learn not just about the signs of anxiety but ways you can respond that are effective.

Elementary Lesson

Taking control of anxiety before it takes control of you

Instructions:

1. Watch the video

2. Answer these two questions:

   • Can you relate to the scenario in the video?

   • What would YOU do if you were that student?

3. Read about what it means to “stop, name your feeling(s), and calm down”

   • "Stop, name your feeling(s), and calm down are three steps you can take when you recognize you are feeling anxious. To STOP means to stop whatever you may be doing at that moment and pay attention to your body. Is your heart beating fast? Are your hands sweaty? Does your stomach hurt? Next, you NAME YOUR FEELING(S) out loud to yourself by saying, “I am feeling anxious right now and I need to calm down.” Next, practice doing something in that exact moment that helps you to calm down."

4. Write down in a journal 5 things you can do to calm down the next time you are feeling anxious.

Secondary Lesson

Body Awareness: Taking control of anxiety before it takes control of you

Instructions:

1. Watch the video.

2. Text a friend that you trust and share with them a time where you felt anxious. Ask the friend if they have ever felt anxious and ask them how do they handle their anxiety.

3. On a notepad or in your phone, write down three very helpful things you can do to decrease any unhealthy anxiety responses you may have.