Happiful September 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

BACK TO SCHOOL ANXIETY AND HOW TO MANAGE IT Author, TedX speaker, and queen of empowerment, Grace Victory shares her experience and insight each month with Grace I remember the feeling like yesterday. Waking up before my alarm, staring across my bedroom to see my uniform laid over the giant pile of clothes on my chair that I should’ve tidied weeks before, and a brand new backpack that I just had to have. The energy of anticipation about starting a new school year would trickle through the morning air. All I could think about was if anyone would look different, if I would look different, and the friends I couldn’t wait to see. I’d brush my teeth a little harder, dab on an extra layer of clear lipgloss, and leave for the bus 10 minutes earlier – you know, just in case. When <strong>September</strong> arrives, both parent and child may experience an increase in anxiety, and while this can be normal, most of us know how difficult it can be to manage. It can feel like impending danger, confusion, panic, and like you’re floating but wishing your feet would touch the ground. For parents, maybe you’re picking up on your child’s energy, and can sense they’re a little anxious about the year ahead? Maybe you have childhood wounds that start to open during this time? Whatever the reasons, I have compiled a few ways to manage this anxiety for both of you. PREPARE & PRACTISE All parents know that the key for a somewhat smooth life is to prepare. Although this doesn’t always guarantee there will be no mishaps, it does mean less stress if difficult feelings and situations arise. A dummy school run is a good way to help decrease anxiety, as you can both experience what it will be like. You can also write a checklist of all the things you need to remember, and pop it on the fridge. Practising a situation will help it to feel less scary when you experience the real thing. This also eliminates the fear of the unknown – especially if your child is starting school for the first time, or is starting somewhere new. COMMUNICATE It’s really important that the child can communicate how they feel. Sometimes anxiety will manifest into the physical with symptoms such as withdrawal, heavy breathing, and sweaty palms, but you also might not always be able to see anxiety with the naked eye. Ask your child how they feel, and create an environment where they are able to express their feelings – even if they can’t identify that it is anxiety. Empower and encourage them. Remind them that feeling nervy before a new school year is normal, and tell them they’re brave and strong.
HAPPIFUL’S NEW COLUMNIST! @GRACEFVICTORY LEARN PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES Although communication is great, it doesn’t always decrease anxiety, and for some, it can heighten it. The energetic path of any feeling needs to leave the body at some point, so that we can reset to the present moment. Grounding techniques are something I learned in therapy, and often appear in my counselling training. Focusing on sounds around you is a great way to bring your heart rate back down, and to distract you from difficult feelings. Hear the birds, the washing machine, the kettle boiling. This is a reminder that you are here, and you are safe. Another simple but effective technique is to feel your feet underneath you. This helps to stabilise you, and to give a little nudge to your brain that you’re OK. + + + + Photography (black and white) | Paul Buller CREATE AN ANXIETY TOOLBOX When it comes to managing my mental health, I have a toolbox full of things that make me feel better. Maybe have a drawer in your house, or a box in the car, that you can reach into when needed. I suggest the following for anxiety: • Lavender essential oil (calming and relaxing), or bergamot is a great alternative. • Affirmation cards can be a gentle reminder that you’ve got this, you’re amazing, and these feelings will pass. • Water and snacks, because drinking and eating regulates your breath, which is definitely needed when you’re anxious. • And lastly, something comforting – a teddy, a photo, whatever suits the individual. So there we have it. My first ever column complete! Sending love and courage to those experiencing anxiety of any kind, but especially those who are going back to school. Until next month. Love Grace x
Page 1 and 2: THE MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO MENTAL HEAL
Page 3 and 4: We’re all on this journey In a wo
Page 5 and 6: 80 16 Lifestyle and Relationships 3
Page 7 and 8: FIND HELP CRISIS SUPPORT If you are
Page 9 and 10: HEALTH Lessons on the menopause wil
Page 11 and 12: WELLBEING This is how long you need
Page 13 and 14: Going up Reading for six minutes a
Page 15 and 16: If someone is cyber self-harming, i
Page 17 and 18: It was the night of the 30th annive
Page 19 and 20: It’s something that many others w
Page 21: And while much of the same can stil
Page 24 and 25: Five benefits of singing your heart
Page 28 and 29: Trichotillomania: Pronounced: trik
Page 30 and 31: in the way of UKbased information.
Page 32 and 33: Happiful Hero Photography | Bruno C
Page 34 and 35: Ask the experts SELF-DOUBT Q I was
Page 36 and 37: Bipolar doesn’t control me, and I
Page 38 and 39: Katie married her partner Jimi in 2
Page 40 and 41: Tackling phone phobia As more of ou
Page 42 and 43: Homemade happiness Her adorably uni
Page 44 and 45: *UK mainland only. Entries close 30
Page 46 and 47: Life unfiltered Book Review Funny,
Page 48 and 49: How to help a colleague having a pa
Page 50 and 51: Happiful Hero £57 £40 ENTER CODE:
Page 52 and 53: I was trans before social media too
Page 54 and 55: Ashley (right) and wife Morgana (le
Page 56 and 57: Happiful Hero Photography | Joel Mo
Page 58 and 59: G W
Page 60 and 61: Follow Gok Wan on Instagram @therea
Page 62 and 63: BACK TO WORK Breakfast Start your w
Page 64 and 65: HOW TO SPOT DIET CULTURE BS As the
Page 66 and 67: “THIS IS THE FIRST GENERATION THA
Page 68 and 69: NEUROSCIENCE: THE KEY TO CONFIDENCE
Page 70 and 71: “Actions and how we construe situ
Page 72 and 73: Soak it up A good bath might be see
Page 74 and 75: LITTLE DONKEYS, BIG BENEFITS Throug
Page 76 and 77:
Mini Donks has now grown to seven d
Page 78 and 79:
Happiful Hero Photography | Svetlan
Page 80 and 81:
Learning to grow When we reach a bi
Page 82 and 83:
If you’re having a tough time, th
Page 84 and 85:
It’s essential we break down the
Page 86 and 87:
Photography | Svetlana Pochatun Pho
Page 88 and 89:
5Rhythms, which uses dance as a mov
Page 90 and 91:
Mental health matters When endometr
Page 92:
We’ve helped more than 1 Million
show all

Happiful September 2019

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?