Slow and steady wins the race! Like my littles, it is important for me to meet teens where they are at. Some teens are more open than others, while some may be more hesitant. By leaning on building our relationship, I will come to know their world, their strengths, and their challenges. I try to be relatable, potentially trendy, and maybe even cool to my teenagers (haha). We will have fun, engage in deep talks, and discuss ways to help them better manage their anxiety. Remember, we will work with the anxiety, not against.

Anxiety often looks like restlessness, worry, and sometimes fear. It can also look like irritability and anger. Someone that is anxious often feels scared, on edge, and even panicked. There are also common physical symptoms that are often associated with anxiety such as an increased heart rate, sweaty palms (I am prone to sweaty hands!), shaking, and shortness of breath. Lastly, other symptoms include sleep disturbance (such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), fatigue, muscle tension, and even impaired concentration.