So what is it that comes over us? Where does it come from? What happened? We are not even fully aware of how anxiety slips into our lives.
We have this “keep going it will be fine” attitude, we are so good at pushing ourselves.
Anxiety is a state of being that brings uncontrollable feelings. Its an emotion characterised by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and increased feelings of dread over anticipated events. Fear and overwhelm are the emotion it brings in bucketloads. We all have anxiety and a certain amount is good but when it overflows in our lives it hinders us from attending events, from being with people. It changes our inner state, so much so that when it becomes out of control it is the fear that controls our lives. We live in an existence where fear and inner turmoil are front and centre.
I see some young children and teens at the clinic, with emotions that are out of control. Their anxiety presents as anger, emotional outburst, physical symptoms, gut issues, bowel issues, disturbed sleep etc. The first point is getting children to recognise their emotions and helping them to realise that their emotions are valid.
I believe that negative emotions, e.g anger, are a signpost that something is wrong. The emotion (anger) tells us that something needs to change. It is at this point that getting to the emotion that is relevant to the child and relates to their beliefs and trauma of life. It is getting to the nuts and bolts of the emotion for the child. What happened? What limiting belief have they formed? Was there a trauma? How did the limiting belief manifest in the child’s thought pattern? What belief do we need to readjust/ redefine/ rebuild?
Many anxious children have a fear of judgement because they don’t understand themselves. This is also true for parents. It is important to note that an anxious child does not define parenting.
Homeopathy is a wonderful tool to support anxiety in our young children and teens. I use kinesiology to test supportive remedies and bush flower remedies, specific to their situation, beliefs and trauma.
A routine I put together for my clients has three aspects which are breathwork, affirmations and visualisations. I use this sequence of techniques to help create a safe space for each client.
The power of breath work is truly remarkable. I have often spoken to children about the benefits of breath work. The All-Blacks use breathworks in the middle of a rugby game to anchor, ground and support the body. When we breath it takes us into the “present moment” and redirects our nervous system.
I have seen Johnny Sexton in the Irish Examiner speak about mindfulness and breathwork explaining how it has helped him on and off the pitch. He also says that it was not something that he warmed to easily but has helped him in many aspects of sport and personal life.
“There is always another way” to be understood and to address the core emotions and where they develop is the core to awareness and taking the steps forward to remove anxiety from our children and teens today. It is over time and with weekly sessions that I help children to rebuild their emotions.
Some of the tools I use in the clinic are positive psychology, talk therapy, breathwork, mindfulness, EFT and kinesiology.
We are all individuals and unique. Anxiety is something that effects all ages from the very young to senior members of society. Overcoming anxious thoughts is about teaching children to give their anxiety wings and to let it fly away.
