管理焦慮，練習正念，充分利用每一天！ （暑期班）

In this ongoing class , students will be taught various skills for managing stress/anxiety and practicing and achieving mindfulness and positivity, by:

*learning how the brain processes and responds to stress/anxiety
*learning and practicing strategies to develop a positive mindset, as a way to prevent anxiety in the first place.
*learning and practicing mindfulness strategies, and ways to focus on the present, and the here and now (versus dwelling on past events or spending too much time worrying about the future)
* learning to recognize the cues and signs of stress that their body/mind is sending them, and identify personal triggers and causes of stress and angst, and ways to avoid those triggers.
*learning and practicing relaxation strategies through deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization/meditation
* learning and practicing coping strategies to counter negative feelings and beliefs, and replace them with positive thoughts and feelings

Each week of this course will have a different focus and a set of various activities to practice and work through each skill. Each class will begin with a focus on the positive, some journal prompts or other focusing activity, and a topic or skill set to learn about, practice, and discuss. 
Week of June 13th, 2021: How the Brain Responds to Anxiety, Ways to Change Your Mindset to Reduce Anxiety 
Week of June 20th, 2021: Mindfulness Practices (Exercises to Become More Mindful within Ourselves and Towards Others)
Week of June 27th, 2021: Identifying Triggers of Anxiety and Ways our Bodies Respond to Stress/Anxiety, Practicing Ways to Reduce/Eliminate those Triggers
Week of July 4th, 2021: Break/No Class
Week of July 11th: Deep Breathing, Relaxation, and Visualization/Meditation Exercises

Week of July 18th: Circles of Control: Identifying Things We Can and Cannot Control, and Practicing Coping Strategies 
Week of July 25th: Positive Mindset: Changing Thoughts from Negative to Positive
Week of August 1st: Developing a Growth Mindset, Practicing Positivity and Self-Care
Week of August 8th: Creating a DIY Stress Management Toolkit (DIY stress ball, calming glitter jar, affirmation cards)/Class Wrap-Up!

Each class will be structured yet relaxed, with plenty of opportunities for students to share their own thoughts and ideas, if they choose to. The class will be interactive and engaging, and will focus on learning and practicing each of the coping strategies discussed, with a concentrated focus on a specific skill each week. 

No previous knowledge or experience needed, but it may be helpful for learners to first take my one-time class: 'Less Worry, Anxiety, and Stress; More Mindfulness and Happiness', as a way to meet the teacher (before committing to a more long-term class), and gain a general overview of some helpful concepts and skills for managing stress and anxiety.

**This class is a shortened 1x/week version of my original 2x/week ongoing class, 'Manage Stress, Practice Mindfulness, and Make the  Most of Every Day'. This class is meant for learners to take over the Summer, when they might not otherwise be able to take it during the school year, or for learners who have taken this class during the school year, but want to continue practicing these skills over the Summer.