Anxiety and stress can shut down thinking for young kids, teens and adults. Positive thinking and a few simple tricks help restore emotional, physiological and metacognition (brain) balance. Here are a few ideas to try.
- Build-up positives. ONE EXAMPLE: Observe the weather. Think of a time when something fun, funny or positive happened during similar weather. Maybe a rainy day when you saw a rainbow. A steamy summer day when you enjoyed a perfect glass of lemonade, a long day at work when you observed co-worker doing a random act of kindness, or maybe an evening when you felt exhausted, but a child’s comment brought a smile to your face.
- Take a 5-minute break. Relieve stress by deep breathing, simple stretching exercises or yoga moves.
- Read a funny, inspirational or uplifting short story, quote, or cartoon.
- Call a friend just to say hello and check on how their day is going.