7 places to put your worries

Worries are so pedestrian.

I’m working with a fantastic group of children right now, and (as per usual) they’re teaching me more than I’m teaching them. They’re eager to learn about mental health—how to be happier, what to do about worries and bullies and friends that don’t act friendly and life when it’s out of their control. Unfortunately, the sessions I plan are full of words and concepts that are a little much for 8 year olds.

My explanations need more explaining.

Now I’m working hard to uncomplicate (not a word) some of the concepts I use in therapy day after day—and in my life minute after minute. Here are some simplified (not dumbed down) tips on where to put your worries. If you’re 8 and you don’t understand this, have your parents email me and let me know!

• Slow your breathing! ★ Calm your body and mind. Then you can think clearly. Square breathing is great for this.

• Talk about it! ★ Sometimes telling somebody you trust makes the worry go away. Tell your worry doll to worry for you.

• Problem-solve it! ★ Some worries are things we can fix.

• Practice thinking the opposite! ★ Worrying might be a habit that we made; we can make a new habit.

• Write it down! ★ Put that worry on paper, keep it in a book or rip it up, or fold it and put it away. Soon you will just let it go.

• Use a time limit! ★ “I’m allowed to worry for the next 5 minutes, and then I’ll stop.”

• Tell the worry to wait! ★ “I’m busy right now, but I can worry later.”