We have all been there. Queue the worry demon…
There are different degrees of worrying. Firstly, we are not experts, this is for light worriers alone. Worrying can make up a huge chunk of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Please approach a doctor or therapist if you feel you cannot cope or need any help at all.
Dentist appointment in two weeks? he worrying begins. Are test results overdue? It’s a worry fest. Not getting a text back from someone you’re seeing? Worry. Sometimes it can be dealt with on its own. Other times, it can hugely impact your day-to-day life.
While we would always recommend speaking to an expert if you feel it really is affecting you, we do have some general tips on calming nerves and worries here!
Get into a Calmer mindset
Sometimes worrying can be triggered by a stressful environment, when you feel generally fatigued or sluggish. Practising meditation, removing yourself from a stressful environment and introducing a little bit of self care (a long bath, getting your hair done, whatever makes you feel good) can help a lot.
Mindfulness
Being more aware of reality can actually help a lot, and reconnecting with yourself can make a massive difference. Going on a walk and smelling the cool, floral-scented air, snuggling up to a feel-good film, being mindful of the things you are grateful for such as friends or family. Mindfulness can help you be more thankful and not take anything for granted. Also, try to acknowledge that overthinking and entertaining the negatives is perhaps not the best way to be. Challenge your thoughts!
Talk to People
Speaking to a family member or friend about something we’re nervous about can genuinely calm us down. Overthinking can lead you to blow your thoughts out of proportion, and speaking with someone you trust can help to ground you. Your family and friends are there for you, and are more than willing to listen.
Try out something new
Everyone has their own unique ways to calm themselves down. This may be putting on your favourite music or film, practising breathing exercises, meditating; even something as simple as laying down and closing your eyes for a second. Find what helps and try it out when you need to.
It’s one thing to be an adult facing worry, but being a child with worry can be very scary. We recently released the book Ted and His Head Full of Worries by Jo Thompson, a story targeted at primary school children presenting worries and anxieties. It can be read by the child alone or to a child by a parent or guardian.
Ted and His Head Full of Worries by Jo Thompson is out now.
