Strategies to Increase Calm and Reduce Worry and Anxiety

About one in three teens experience elevated levels of anxiety, or feelings of worry. It's never too early for our little ones to learn strategies to enhance calm, reduce worries, and develop an anxiety-free lifestyle.

This class is ideal for learners who have an interest in learning about anxiety reduction, and how strategies can be used to reduce  worries, mild/moderate anxiety feelings, and increase an overall sense of calm. 

This is an educational, fact-based course, and not a counseling or therapy group.   Class interaction is primarily between learner and teacher, through the chat box.  Outschool policy prohibits "Classes that focus on learners sharing personal experiences" because that can "fall within group therapy". 

Learning anxiety reduction strategies (managing worried thoughts/feelings) is not a substitute for counseling or anxiety disorder treatment.  

This is an Enrichment Club style class so  your learner can begin during ANY week since classes don't build upon the previous one.  Each class is an individual, can be taken alone, class structure.  Learners can begin at any week.

We do a 3 question game (no participation required) at the beginning of each class, to review or learn 3 facts about anxiety. 

The class will cover the following anxiety reduction and calming topics:

Lesson 1  Increase good input and decrease bad input to lower anxiety and increase calm
Lesson 2 Deep breathing with prompts, shapes, body, progressive relaxation
Lesson 3 Art-based calming strategies
Lesson 4 Bedtime anxiety strategies- daytime prep, worry box, bedtime apps, affirmations 
Lesson 5 Mindfulness activities
Lesson 6 Grounding activities- 3-3-3 method, hot/sour foods
Lesson 7 Distraction activities- games, puzzles
Lesson 8 Distraction activities 2
Lesson 9 Regulation strategies- infinity walk/trace
Lesson 10 Physical object strategies- squeezing items, shredding, fidgets 
Lesson 11 Processing strategies- Feelings Spinner, Color My Feelings
Lesson 12 Sensory anxiety strategies- Sensory scavenger hunt, log rolls
Lesson 13 Distraction Strategies 3- learn new hobby, building challenges, pudding pictionary
Lesson 14 Singing and music activities- scarf dance, creating rhythms
Lesson 15 Using pets or stuffed animals to lessen anxiety
Lesson 16 Before and in class calm activities to combat school anxiety
Lesson 17 Mindful breathing and listening- Dragon Breath, Mindful Music Practice
Lesson 18 Mindful coloring and art - Mandala coloring and use of colors
Lesson 19 Guided meditation and progressive relaxation - Happy Heart guided meditation and Head-to-Toe progressive relaxation
Lesson 20 Mindful journaling and puzzles (Journal handout - feelings check-in and Word Search
Lesson 21 Mindfulness of emotions anger & anxiety- Color Anger Monster and Anger Dice Game
Lesson 22 Mindfulness of gratitude- Gratitude Trace, Gratitude Jar
Lesson 23 Art strategies- Art Bingo, Upcycle
Lesson 24 Social Situation strategies- Identify triggers, WBL method, role play
Lesson 25 Procrastination anxiety causes and strategies such as microsteps and 2 minute timer
Lesson 26 Performing anxiety triggers and strategies- hydration routine, EFT
Lesson 27 World event strategies- boundaries, kids news
Lesson 28 Art strategies- Shadow art, Plastic portraits
Lesson 29 Perfectionist anxiety strategies- Power of "yet, Journey Report card
Lesson 30 Strategies for physical effects of anxiety (nausea, headaches, stomach aches)

Lessons will repeat at the end of the 30 lesson series

Because research says students learn better when relaxed, learners will not be called on.  Chat box polls will be used to encourage participation.  Participation with the instructor is welcomed but never required.
 
I have a structured, yet humor-filled teaching style, designed to keep student's interest, and help learner's feel comfortable.  It's important in this type of class especially, to use lots of encouragement and support for individual learner's preference. I'll use slides and gifs to reinforce concepts, as well.