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7 Ways on How to Talk to Your Kids About Anxiety

Everybody knows how hard it is to talk to kids about anxiety. The little things haven't even experienced something that can be described as anxiety yet, so it's really difficult for them to understand what the consequences can be. So, we came up with a list with 7 ways on how to talk to your kids about anxiety.

1. Give examples of what you mean by “anxiety.”

Anxiety is a complicated thing to explain. Some people are just naturally nervous, while others can be anxious over almost anything. That’s why giving examples will help you explain this further. This is important because it helps them understand what you're talking about when they're having trouble or feeling overwhelmed. 

In addition, it helps them realize that their feelings are normal and acceptable. Kids often get anxious about things because they don't know what else to do with those feelings—they might be afraid of something or worried about something else happening in their lives. By showing them examples of times when other people felt the same way, and then reassuring them that everything turned out okay (or at least not as bad as they originally thought), you'll help them feel more confident about tackling these situations themselves!

2. Be honest and open about anxiety

The best way to talk with your kids about anxiety is by being honest and open, while also reassuring them that they're safe. It helps if you can answer any questions they have, but if they're not asking questions yet, it's important to let them know that you're there for them if they do have something on their mind.

It's also important to remember that kids don't always understand what we're telling them—especially when it comes to mental health issues like anxiety. Make sure you have some resources on hand that can help explain things in a way that makes sense for your child's age and abilities: books, videos, websites—anything that will help them learn more about their feelings and how other people deal with those same feelings.

3. Use the right language

When talking to your kids about anxiety, use language that is age-appropriate and specific to their experience. For example, saying “I'm feeling anxious” will be better received than saying “I'm scared.” You also don't want to make assumptions or generalize your child's experience. Instead of asking them if they have anxiety, try saying something like “Do you know what it feels like when you're nervous?”

You don't have to talk about anxiety all the time—just when it seems appropriate or when the subject comes up naturally during a conversation. You can also let your kids know that there are going to be times when everyone gets stressed out or worried about things (even adults), but it's important not to dwell on these feelings.

4. Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions encourage your child to think creatively and flex their critical thinking muscles.Rather than sticking to yes or no questions, try asking “how” or “what” questions instead. They'll start making connections between things that they may not have before, which can lead them to new insights about themselves and the world around them.

They also help your child build confidence in their ability to think critically about themselves and the world around them. This process gives you an opportunity to support your child as they explore their thoughts and feelings, which can be helpful if they're struggling with anxiety caused by bullying or other issues related to school bullying or peer pressure.

These open-ended questions would also help them to realize whether they are already  experiencing anxiety or not. 

5. Help them identify triggers and signs of anxiety

If your child has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you can help them understand what is happening inside their bodies by helping them identify triggers and signs of anxiety.

Triggers are things that happen in the environment that can make your child feel anxious. They can be anything you might expect, like loud noises or crowded spaces, but they may also be things that surprise you—like being asked to read out loud in front of a group of strangers or getting called on by their teacher in class for something they didn't do wrong.

Signs are physical symptoms that happen when your child experiences an anxiety trigger. Signs include racing heartbeats, sweaty palms, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea… the list goes on! The more familiar your child is with their own signs and symptoms of anxiety, the better equipped they'll be to recognize when something isn't right and get help from a trusted adult (like a parent or teacher).

6. Encourage them to watch movies that tackles about anxiety

Movies about anxiety can help your child learn about anxiety, even if they don't experience it themselves. Watching movies about characters who have anxiety can teach your child about what causes it and how it makes people feel. Movies can also help your child understand what they can do when they're feeling anxious.

It helps kids understand their feelings. Talking about anxiety gives young people an opportunity to learn more about their emotions and how they work. They may even start talking about their own worries without being prompted by their parents — which means you've created an environment where it's OK to talk openly about difficult topics.

On the other hand, if your child is struggling with their own anxiety, watching movies about other people with similar experiences can help them understand what they're going through and know that they're not alone. So, pick the best movies you can find that really explain what anxiety is and what causes it.

7. Teach kids how to be kind and supportive towards others who are struggling with anxiety

One way that you can help your child understand what anxiety is and why it's important to treat those who have it kindly is by teaching them how to be kind and supportive towards others who are struggling with anxiety.

By showing your kids how important it is for them to be kind towards other people—especially those who are struggling with mental health issues or physical disabilities—you'll help them learn how to treat others with compassion and empathy when they need it most. This will also give them tools they can use later in life if they ever find themselves suffering from any kind of mental illness themselves!

Good parenting, like good mental health, is a balancing act. It's about knowing when to teach children independence, and when to hold them close. It's about understanding differences in temperament, and handling stressful situations with grace and compassion. And it's about being honest and upfront with your kids—especially when they're struggling. However, even though they are not struggling, explaining to them what is anxiety is all about would help them in the future.

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