Summary
Sweaty skin, racing thoughts, pounding heart—these are just a few of the ways that anxiety can take hold. This feeling usually comes over us when we’re worried or nervous about something in the future. It could be anything from a big test to a new social situation. Everyone experiences anxiety sometimes, because it’s wired into the brain. When we sense a risk, it can trigger a brain response known as fight-or-flight, flooding our bodies with chemicals that cause us to tense up our bodies and minds. That can be helpful for focusing our attention on a problem, or preparing us for physical action. But these effects get in the way of living life for people with anxiety disorders. If you think you might be one of them, talking with a trusted adult, like a school counselor, is a great way to get help. Strategies like mindfulness and deep breathing can help you calm down, too. Press “play” to learn more.
Viewer safety
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Anxiety:
- What is one new thing you learned about anxiety?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining anxiety.
- Draw or give one example of your own.