Creekside Middle School Parent Coffee Presenter: Laura Guzzi, LCSW St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Medical Social Services

Let’s talk about anxiety Anxiety is normal Anxiety is adaptive Anxiety is not dangerous

Fight, Flight or Freeze When the amygdala is triggered, information is not transferred to our pre-frontal cortex. This means that our “fight-flight-freeze” response is triggered. We react, rather than have an opportunity to choose our response.

Friendships School Family

Impact of Technology

Anxiety can manifest physically: Insomnia Pain

Emotionally Separation Anxiety Worry Rumination

Behaviorally Acting Out Anger Rituals

Talking with Kids about anxiety: Talk about our amygdala and it’s role in the fight-flight-freeze response – if we can name it, we can tame it Help kids understand that while they cannot always control the stimulus around them, they can help manage their response to it Facilitate resilience by encouraging a growth mindset about stress/anxiety

Tools for Relaxation Smell the Soup…Cool the Soup 4-7-8 Breathing – Breathe in for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7 and slowly release your breath to a count of 8. Progressive muscle relaxation The Naming Game – Naming items you see in the room can often help distract anxious thoughts. (ie –blue vase, green chair, red flowers) Meditation – Loving Kindness Meditation Aromatherapy – Oils like lavender and mandarin are great to help manage anxiety The more often you practice these exercises, the more quickly your body recognizes what you are doing and you can access a state of relaxation more quickly.

Strike a Pose Experiment: Blow Bubbles Gratitude Journal Go Outside