How kids can learn to tolerate anxiety

Manage, Don’t Eliminate Anxiety:

• Teach children to tolerate and manage anxiety rather than avoiding it.

• Over time, as they learn to cope, anxiety levels typically decrease. Face Fears, Don’t Avoid Them:

• Avoiding feared situations reinforces anxiety.

• Let children know they can handle uncomfortable situations and emotions. Set Realistic Expectations:

• Express confidence in their ability to manage fears.

• Let them know that facing fears will reduce anxiety over time. Acknowledge Feelings Without Amplifying Them:

• Validate feelings without agreeing that the fear is justified.

• Empathize and reassure the child that they can overcome their fears. Avoid Leading Questions:

• Ask open-ended questions to understand their feelings better.

• Avoid questions that might feed into their anxieties. Don’t Reinforce Fears:

• Be mindful of your tone and body language.

• Avoid signaling that their fears are justified or that they should be anxious. Encourage Tolerance of Anxiety:

• Appreciate their efforts to face their fears.

• Help them understand the “habituation curve”—how anxiety decreases over time with exposure. Shorten Anticipatory Periods:

• Minimize the time spent worrying about upcoming events.

• Avoid prolonged discussions or reminders about stressful events. Discuss and Plan with the Child:

• Talk through potential scenarios and solutions.

• Create plans to manage fears or uncertainties effectively. Model Healthy Coping Mechanisms:

• Show children how you manage your own anxiety.

• Demonstrate healthy ways to cope and tolerate stress.

learn more:

https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/