Abby Cooper - I Feel Anxious

TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS

Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps children manage emotions, create
and achieve goals, maintain relationships, learn how to feel empathy, and
make good decisions. The SEL approach will help children establish positive
habits in communication, cooperation, and decision-making. By incorporating
SEL in early reading, children will be better equipped to build confidence
and foster positive peer networks.

BEFORE READING

Talk to the reader about noticing anxiety. Explain that everyone feels
it sometimes.

Discuss: Have you ever felt worried? What are some things you have felt
worried about? How do you think feeling worried and feeling anxious are
the same? What about excitement?

AFTER READING

Talk to the reader about the way anxiety makes us feel and act.

Discuss: What are some signs and symptoms of anxiety? Does it impact
the way you think and feel? What can you do if you feel anxious?

SEL GOAL

Anxiety is common and impacts many people of all ages. While it can feel
similar to excitement, anxiety is usually defined as a feeling of extreme worry
or unease. Some students may struggle with anxiety but not know how to
express their anxious thoughts or feelings. Help them find words for their
feelings and inner experiences.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Sophie is about to speak
in front of her class.
Her heart pounds.
Her body feels hot.
She has butterflies
in her stomach.
She feels both
excited and nervous.

There is a good chance Sophie also
feels . Anxiety is feeling
very . It happens
when we are facing
an uncertain outcome.
Will Sophies speech be
a success? Or will it flop?

Do your worries feel like they never
end? Or are they a bigger deal
than they should be? If so, you
are probably feeling anxious.

ANXIETY VS. EXCITEMENT

Anxiety is often confused
with nervousness or
excitement. These feelings
are a lot alike. But nerves
and excitement fade away.
Anxiety sticks around. It can
be much harder to control.

bee

Anxiety can be different for everyone.
It can be short-term or ongoing.
Many cause anxiety. It can
run in families. It can also be the
result of an event. Becca was stung
by a bee. Now just seeing one
makes her feel anxious. Her heart
beats fast.

GOOD ANXIETY

Everybody feels anxious sometimes.
Some people like it and seek it out!
Why? The our bodies
makes gives us ! This can
happen when we watch scary
movies or ride roller coasters.

CHAPTER

WHAT IT LOOKS
AND FEELS LIKE

How can you know if youre feeling
anxious? Look for clues in your body.
Are you ?

A stomachache or a racing
heart could be of
anxiety. Your heartbeat may
speed up, and it could be hard
to catch your breath. Do you
feel sweaty, dizzy, or like you
may get sick?

Bodies react in many ways.
Identify how anxiety feels in
your body. Symptoms occur in
your mind, too. What are your
thoughts like? Identifying your
thoughts and symptoms is the
first step toward controlling
anxious feelings.

While it is normal and OK to
feel anxious, anxiety becomes
a problem when it is .
Luckily, there are many ways
to with these feelings.

CHAPTER

HOW TO COPE

Start with your body.
Eat well, exercise, and
get enough sleep. These
all help clear your mind.

Writing or drawing in a journal helps, too.
It is important to how you feel.
Journaling can help you organize your
thoughts and feel in control of your feelings.

journal

Another way to cope is to practice
deep breathing. This is one of the
best ways to reduce . If your
heart starts to race, try this.
Breathe in deep through your
nose. Hold it for a few seconds.
Then let it out. Breathing sends
a message to your brain to
calm down.

POSITIVE SELF-TALK

Use Remind yourself that
you are safe and loved. Reframe any negative
thoughts. Instead of, I will never get
all of my work done, try, I will do
my best and ask for help if I need it.

If someone you know feels anxious,
you can help by listening. Dont tell
your friend to relax or calm down.
Avoid saying a worry is silly.
This could make the anxiety
worse. Instead, remind your
friend that his or her feelings
are OK . Simply being there
for your friend can make
a huge difference.