B. Melayu
Anxiety is an emotion or feeling of uneasiness or fear. It is usually accompanied by worried thoughts or nervousness. Teenagers affected by anxiety may find it hard to seek help, especially during school hours. So, here are some simple tips to deal with anxiety at school.
- Identify & Plan – Identify your anxiety triggers and make a plan around them. For example, if you get anxious when presenting in front of others, it may be useful to practice your presentations in front of a mirror or to your friends beforehand.
- Seek Help at School – Talk to your school about ways to manage your anxiety. Although it might seem scary at first, approaching your teacher or counsellor can actually be useful. As every school is different, there may be certain facilities or ways your school can help manage your anxiety.
- Breathe – Sometimes anxiety can strike at the worst times, and it’s not easy to get help immediately. Prepare in advance by learning a few breathing techniques to help keep you calm during these situations (“4-7-8 breathing”, mindful breathing, etc.).
- Open Up to Others – We are often surrounded by people who love us and care for us. Open up to those around you for support, like your parents, siblings, and friends.
- Take a Break – We get it. Sometimes the anxiety gets the better of us, and we feel overwhelmed. And that’s okay! Cut yourself some slack, take a step back, and give yourself a break when you need it.
For some teenagers, school can be a stressful environment that can bring on plenty of anxiety. So, it’s better to prepare yourself before anxiety strikes during school hours!