STUDENT WELLBEING
BY MATT EDWARDS (SECONDARY CHAPLAIN)
H.A.L.T. – Anxious
Anger and anxiety are lumped together in the ‘A’ of HALT, but they can be quite different. So here is a separate one for anxiety. They can overlap and be present together, but it seemed good to look at them separately too.
Interestingly, anger and anxiety can both stem from the same cause. Fear is quite the instigator of anxiety. As with anger, anxiety says that there is something wrong. This means it is not a ‘bad’ emotion, just one to be felt and understood. Yet there is such a broad experience of anxiety for people. There are times when anxiety gets to the point where professional help is needed, and should be sought out.
Anxiety can be a foggy emotion, acting quietly for someone who doesn’t realise it is there before it overwhelms them. Sometimes it can produce anxiety attacks. But like anger, it is good to begin recognising its presence while it is not yet overwhelming.
How can we help?
Our emotions want to come out (even if we don’t want them to!) If we are aware of when our kids are anxious, we can ask them: Are you worried/or feeling anxious?
Other constructive ways for them to be expressed can be: journaling, and being listened to. Even if your kid has a favourite pet or soft toy, they might find it helpful to say it to them. Positive expressions of emotions are better than having them bottle up.
Further to this, we cannot forget that the inner person has a body. What is experienced emotionally is not separate from a physical body, and often what is done with the body can have a positive impact on the mind. Good sleeping and doing physical exercise are two big contributing factors. Here are some general recommendations for physical exercise and sleep:
Activity (children aged 5-17): 1 hour of moderate to vigorous activity (where heart rate increases) and several hours of light activity (walking, doing chores, playing games).
Sleep: (age 5-13) – 9-11 hours sleep, (age 14-17) – 8-10 hours of sleep. The emphasis is: consistent sleep/wake times, no screen time 1 hour before bed, no screens in bedrooms.
This might seem like a lot for both! Yet even a gradual movement towards these recommendations could be the next step for your kids.
If professional help is needed for anxiety, a GP, counsellor or psychologist are good places to start.