All About Teen Anxiety
All Things Social/Emotional at Addison Secondary Schools
All About Anxiety
Dear Students,
Before we get started, I want to remind you that even though we don't get to see you face-to-face at school anymore, we are all still here to help. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out to me either by email or by submitting a request form for non-urgent issues. If you or a loved one is experiencing an emergency or one of the '3 Hurts,' please seek help immediately using one of resources listed at the very bottom of this newsletter. As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Stay Healthy! Stay Happy!
Ms. Monica Flores
Secondary Behavior Specialist
Addison Community Schools
Monica.Flores@addisonschools.us
Mrs. Ashley Davis
Secondary School Counselor
What is ANXIETY?
TRAILStoWellness.org
Last edited: 08/10/2019
What does Anxiety Look Like for Teens?
As you can imagine, with all of this going on it is expected for you to have anxious moments. Phases of anxiety are usually short term, and often occur alongside with environmental stressors--the current global pandemic, conflicts with friends, before new experiences, or when preparing for a high-pressure situation such as an important competition. Generally, teens are resilient and can often bounce back from difficult emotions. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can produce chronic symptoms that require a significant amount of energy to manage or that may prevent them from fully functioning and being your best-selves.
What Can I Do to Feel Less Worried?
There are lots of healthy strategies to help you! Listed below are some tips that TeenHealth.org put together to help decrease feelings of anxiety.
2. Get enough sleep, nourishment, and exercise. Want your mind and body to feel peaceful and strong enough to handle life's ups and downs? Get the right amount of sleep for your needs — not too much or too little. Eat well: Choose fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains for long-term energy (instead of the short bursts that come from too much sugar or caffeine). And exercise to send oxygen to every cell in the body so your brain and body can operate at their best.
3. Connect with others. Spend time calling/texting/messaging your friends and family members. Organized activities are great, but just talking works too. Doing things with those we feel close to deepens our bonds, allowing us to feel supported and secure. And the fun and sharing that go with it allow us to feel happier and less upset about things. If you feel worried or nervous about something, talking about it with someone who listens and cares can help you feel more understood and better able to cope. You'll be reminded that everyone has these feelings sometimes. You're not alone.
4. Connect with nature. Heading out for a walk in the park or a hike in the woods can help anyone feel peaceful and grounded. (Choose somewhere you feel safe so you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.) Walking, hiking, trail biking, or snowshoeing offer the additional benefit of exercise. Invite a friend or two — or a family member — along and enjoy feeling connected to people as well.
5. Pay attention to the good things. A great way to keep our minds off the worry track is to focus our thoughts on things that are good, beautiful, and positive. Appreciate the small, everyday blessings. Allow yourself to dream, wish, and imagine the best that could happen.
Note: When anxiety or worry feels extreme, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. For someone who has an anxiety disorder, getting proper care from a health professional is important. These tips can help too, of course. But professional treatment is the only way to shake an anxiety disorder.
Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: April 2016
When to Get Help for Anxiety
- You are doing things on purpose to hurt yourself
- You are drinking and taking drugs to block out negative feelings
TRAILStoWellness.org
Last edited: 08/10/2019
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Lenawee Community Mental Healthy (CMH) - COVID19 Info
During this time of uncertainty, Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority (LCMHA) wants to let our community know that they are still ‘open for business’. In an effort to keep everyone safe, face to face contact has been reduced. If you are in need of services for yourself or your students, please call their office at (517) 263-8905 or (800) 664-5005. The COVID-19 pandemic is understandably creating an increase in anxiety and fear--this is a normal reaction to a worldwide crisis. There is help available. CMH is currently offering community groups to help you cope with the stress and anxiety. These groups are conducted via Zoom by a Master’s level clinician. They will be held every day at 10am and 2pm. You can join the group by going to the LCMHA Facebook page or website at www.lcmha.org (click on the Coronavirus link).
Addison Community Schools
Email: monica.flores@addisonschools.us
Website: addisonschools.org
Location: 219 North Comstock Street, Addison, MI, USA
Phone: 5175476123
Facebook: www.facebook.com/addisonschools/