By Barb Bellesini

Many lives have been turned upside down in the past two years. Anxiety is being felt by many children and adults, so we need many different calming strategies, as the same one may not work every time. These are just a few I put together with no space or equipment needed for a friend.

Have you ever noticed that when you are emotional you say or do things that you normally wouldn’t? To learn or think clearly we need to stop the emotions, in a part of the brain called the Amygdala, from taking over, as it stops the thinking part, the Frontal Cortex, from letting us learn.

Set up a ‘Calming Corner’ or space where children can go, at home or school. You could have a basket with ‘special activities’ that your child, or class like e.g. books, puzzles, paper to write or draw, a squishy ball to squeeze, a toy to hug, cushions to lie on, etc. ask your child what they would like in there.

Going outside is also very calming if you can. Feeling blue? Touch green! Feel the sunshine, walk on the grass, look at the trees, flowers, clouds, climb a tree, jump on the trampoline, ride your bike, play with a ball, etc.

ALL feelings are OK, it’s how you act or control them that matters. talk about feelings often.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO CALM DOWN?

The post Calming strategies for anxiety appeared first on Be Positive Program.

By Barb Bellesini

The pandemic, and bushfires in Australia, have left everyone effected in some way. Loss of:- Privileges, jobs, homes, family contact, travel, sport, gyms, medical support, weddings, lives, funerals, celebrations, visitors, even toilet paper!! There is also loneliness, isolation, depression and uncertainty. It will effect some now, others in a few months or even years.

No one can learn or think clearly when they are anxious. The Amygdala, the part of the brain that controls emotions, takes over. It feels THREAT, and is trying to keep us safe, but the brain can’t tell if it is REAL or PERCEIVED threat. It sends out the Fight or Flight message. The ANXIOUS brain needs to be CALMED and feel SAFE before being able to make a good decisions.

Watch this three minute video for one approach to anxiety. NIP= Notice Inquire Plan

Revisit the post below to remind yourself of things to do to calm yourself, students, family, friends.

Some good books on Anxiety: Hey Warrior – Karen Young; Hey Awesome – Karen Young; When I’m Feeling NERVOUS – Trace Moroney; My Calm Me Down Book – Trace Moroney; When I’m Feeling Sad – Trace Moroney; The Huge Bag of Worries– Virginia Ironside; Anxiety Sucks- Teen Survival Guide– Natasha Daniels

The post Getting on top of Anxiety appeared first on Be Positive Program.

By Barb Bellesini 

‘I am living in a nightmare everyday, and nobody understands. I just can’t cope anymore.’

This statement shocked me into action, but not without asking first! I had listened and physically helped before, but this was different. They were trying to solve the problems themselves, which is always better, but being misunderstood for 5 months had dulled any sense of resilience, will power, or resolve that anyone could or would understand. I thought the ‘lowest’ had already been and gone, but it was back again with a bigger wall. After 3 days of researching, phoning, blogging and then FINALLY contacting a VERY compassionate, understanding person, who just wanted to go and hug the person, we are slowly but surely, on the way to resolving some of the problems. I was lucky I found the right contact, but that DOESN’T always happen, and people are left floundering.

Today is a day we should ask every family member, friend, student and workmate RUOK, ARE YOU REALLY OK? So many people can present themselves to others as coping, happy, telling jokes, doing their job well, helping others, but on the INSIDE they are broken, sad, worried and need help themselves. You never know what they came from this morning, last night, last week, last year, or even a trauma from many years ago.

(I got this image from FB, so I cannot site the original source.)

LOOK FOR THE SIGNS on the outside

Sighing, withdrawing, fidgety, can’t sit still, tired or hypo, headaches, numbness, too busy or uninterested, never having ‘me’ time, bored, losing temper, feeling sick, overwhelmed, needing to go the the toilet a lot, frowning, shaky voice, rolling eyes, never having an opinion, ‘whatever’ or over complaining, not caring about eating, their clothes, not getting out, tears etc. The list can be endless. 

Then there are things we can’t see- the butterflies in the tummy, the pounding heart,  sweating, feeling overwhelmed, not wanting to go places or join in, tight jaw, shoulders, neck, lump in your throat, can’t talk properly, goose bumps, dry mouth, sweaty, feeling dizzy, hunger pains, can’t sleep, getting shivers or shaking knees…..

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Listen, ACKNOWLEDGE their fears and feelings, take them for a walk, offer water, deep breathing, find something good about the day so far, sit with them, hug them, play their favourite music, find them a book, play sport with them, do mindfulness, draw, cook, eat, take them away from a situation that isn’t good, sit on the grass, sand, beach, in the park, ask if you can help, help them work out what to do if practical……

DON’T say ‘Don’t worry about it’ 

ACTS OF KINDNESS MAKE US ALL BETTER PEOPLE

Be gentle with the people you meet and deal with everyday, look on the INSIDE not the OUTSIDE.

HAVE A GREAT DAY                by Barb Bellesini

Body Signs

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