What is Anxiety?
anx·i·e·ty
- noun: anxiety; plural noun: anxieties
- a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
PSYCHIATRY
- a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks.
Stress Chemicals
- Increases production of cortisol and adrenaline
- Cortisol – Designed to be used in situations of “acute stress” helps the body get ready for physical action
- Increases inflammation in the body
- Temporarily activates immune system (tiger vs. bacteria)
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Affects other hormones, DHEA, progesterone, estrogen
Love Chemicals
- Dopamine – increase in pleasure, motivation, decrease in sadness
- Vasopressant – increase in sexuality, attraction and decrease in anxiety
- Oxytocin – increase in trust, attachment and decrease in fear
What You Should Know
- Anxiousness is part of a Belief Pattern
- Beliefs are Hereditary – they are in our DNA
- We Can Train Our Brains to Manage Anxiety
Activity
Overwhelming research evidence that activity supports:
- Learning
- Memory
- Self Regulation
- Anxiety
- Depression
Side Note on Worry
- Our Thought is a Thing
- Thought and actions seen by the body as the same thing
- On a quantum level, everything is a vibration,
- What you think about affects your biology
- It also affects the biology of the person you are thinking about
Strategies We Teach Our Students
- Change of State – Go for a walk
- Go outside
- Get a drink of water
- Find What Comforts You: Hugs, Cuddling in a Blanket, Talking to Someone, Listen to Music
- Positive Self Talk
- Belly Breathing
- Movement
- Identifying Triggers
Home Supports
- § Declutter the home environment
- § Model Emotional Independence – Stress Contagion – You are in charge of managing your feelings
- § Move
- § Meditation/Breathing
- § Provide Responsibilities and Praise Independence
- § Limit Electronic Device Use
- § Have a consistent morning and evening routine
- § Eat Real Food
- Some Stress is Good
- Take care of your own stress
- Model what you want your children to do and be
- Move
- Practice Finding What is Right
- Pause, Meditate, Breathe
- Eat Real Food
What Not to Do
- Eat Sugar and Simple Carbohydrates
- Self Medicating
- Negative Self Talk
- “Victimizing”