Teen Breathe Magazine Issue 045 Back Issue

Everyone worries sometimes. It’s natural. It might happen when
you have a big decision to make, an important event to prepare
for or when you feel responsible for organising a special day out.
Knowing that worries are part of life, however, doesn’t mean they have to dominate it. Quite the opposite. It’s more about finding ways to manage them that work for you. For some, that will mean setting them to one side. But others might discover that the answer, somewhat counterintuitively, lies in paying them some attention.
Importantly, this doesn’t equal ruminating on them every minute of every day. It means deciding on a set time each day when, for a short period, maybe 10 minutes, you focus on anything that’s making you anxious. You might choose to write or sketch about what’s on your mind or talk through any concerns with a friend or family member.
It’s one way of giving your brain time to process your worries more effectively. It also offers an opportunity to work out how they might be eased. If you’re behind on schoolwork, for example, scribbling away for 10 minutes about how you feel might also reveal that talking to your form tutor about how to catch up would be a good idea.
Of course, misgivings will still surface at unwelcome moments. When this happens, it’s often helpful to talk to friends you trust
– ones you know will put your mind at ease. If talking’s not your
thing, try reminding yourself of previous times when you were worried and everything turned out OK.
You could also try ‘tapping’. With its roots in the ancient practice
of acupuncture, this simple practice involves (no surprise here) gently tapping various points of the body. It’s easy to do and a
great way of alleviating nervousness and anxiety at big moments.
Of course, introducing these approaches won’t mean life will suddenly be worry-free, but knowing that you’re armed with
some ideas for when they do arise can be a comfort in itself.