Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety

Feelings of anxiety can be normal but it can become a major disorder when it starts to interfere with normal daily routines such as school and relationships with others. There are many great resources about anxiety and what the symptoms may look like in your child. Some of the symptoms that children may exhibit but are not limited to are:

Agitation
Restlessness
Inattention, poor focus
Somatic symptoms like headaches or stomachaches
Avoidance
Tantrums
Crying
Refusing to go to school
Meltdowns before school about clothing, hair, shoes, socks
Meltdowns after school about homework
Difficulties with transitions within school, and between school and an activity/sport
Difficulty settling down for bed
Having high expectations for school work, homework and sports performance

As School Counselors, we can help your student manage their anxiety, so please feel free to contact us for support. The following are more resources about anxiety, the symptoms, and what you as parents can do to help support your child:

Stress

Here are some positive ways to relieve stress:

Ride a bike	Read a book	Draw a picture
Run/walk	Jump rope/or on the trampoline	Count to 10
Take a nap	Listen to music/sing	Play games
Talk to a friend	Take several slow deep breaths	Get a hug
Punch a pillow	Write	Be silly