Teach Kids if They Change Their Thoughts They Can Beat Anxiety.

Often when I ask kids what they do to beat anxiety they will say things like…

I try to get my mind off of it
I distract myself
I take deep breaths (honestly I think they just say that because they think that is the “right” answer)

The one thing I almost never hear is…

I beat anxiety by changing my thoughts.

Now I know that isn’t earth shattering information, and yet most kids aren’t doing this one powerful, but simple thing.

Learning how to breathe, use guided imagery, do muscle relaxation, smell oils are all wonderful tools to help with anxiety – but changing your anxious thoughts is key to winning the battle with anxiety.

This week’s video on Ask the Child Therapist Kids Edition is all about teaching kids how to change their thoughts to beat anxiety.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to watch my short video:
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Anxiety Starts with a Thought

Anxiety usually starts with a thought (unless you are having a Panic Attack – read more about that here). This thought might go unnoticed. This thought might not even register in your mind. But – it is there. Festering. Growing. Developing.

What if I get sick
What if they laugh at me
What if no one talks to me
What if there is a bad guy out there
What if I fail
What if I choke
What if I throw up
What if I get hurt

Anxiety Grows When We Grow Those Thoughts

We can’t stop the first thought, but we can stop the second, third, fourth and fifth thought. In fact, if we want to beat anxiety – that is our only choice.

Pay attention to what your thoughts are. Are they a What if thought? Do you want to go down that rabbit hole or do you want to start a battle?

When We Challenge Those Thoughts Anxiety Goes Down

What if you fought those thoughts. You challenged those thoughts. You provided an alternative possibility to your everything is suck-tastic and I should panic thoughts. It isn’t easy, but it is better than the rabbit hole.

Rabbit Hole:

What if there is a bad guy in my closet?
What is that shadow?
Did I hear a noise?

Down, down you go.

Is someone hiding in there waiting to hurt me?
I am too scared to call for my mom.
I am too scared to get up.

Down, down you sink.

I can’t breathe.
I am so hot.
I am going to die.

Alternative to Rabbit Hole:

What if there is a bad guy in my closet?
I was just in my closet to get my PJs and I didn’t see one.
What if they snuck past you?

Anxiety doesn’t like to be challenged.
It won’t give up easily.

That’s ridiculous how could they get in my room.
I am safe in my room.
I am safe in this house.
Anxiety is trying to freak me out.

Victim vs. Warrior 

Nobody can beat anxiety for you. Not your mom, your dad or your therapist (if you are lucky enough to have the added support). This is your deal. Your battle. You can choose to grow your anxiety or you can choose to slay it. It won’t be easy either way, but when you fight it, you slowly take away anxiety’s overall power.

The next time you have an anxious thought pay attention. Is anxiety knocking at your door wanting to come in? What are you going to do?

Kids YouTube Video:

Books to Help Kids Beat Anxiety:

My book:

Other books:

Other Kids YouTube Videos to Help you Beat Anxiety: