Class is taught in a scientific and uplifting manner! Sometimes the best way to conquer anxiety is to learn what's really going on! Sort of like revealing the wizard behind the curtain (for my Wizard of Oz fans.) Then it's not so scary anymore and has less control over us. 

We will learn about the 4 parts of the brain that control our anxiety levels, what the brain looks like when it's nervous through colored brain scans, organization tips to reduce stress, and different coping mechanisms that can be used to calm our nerves. 

Topics covered:

Limbic system
Brain stem
Amygdala 
Frontal lobe 
Box breathing
Emergency brake breath
In and Out
Five-finger breathing
5-4-3-2-1 game
Look but don't look game 
Circle of control 
Brain dump + Ice Cube method 
Eat the frog task initiation 

[ A slide show containing notes from class, feeling wheel, anxiety journal page, and gratitude journal PDF handed out after class. ]

My hope is that students leave this class feeling more in control of their own thoughts and behaviors, and are more skilled in regulating their own emotions regardless of what external stressors they are up against. 

These coping mechanisms have shown to be effective with social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and specific phobias. (Mulert, PhD. 2011.) 

*This class is not a medical diagnosis or treatment and should be used for educational purposes only.