The power of thoughts
Thinking has a really big impact on how we experience anxiety and the effects it has on our lives. Ever heard the phrase, we are what we think?
Try out the suggestions in the videos below to practice having positive (sometimes called ‘green’ - for go) thoughts.
If you want to learn about this in more depth; emotional reasoning, negative cycle thinking, magnification and labeling are things talked about in this useful website, as are ways to change these ways of thinking to help ourselves be well.
Try out the suggestions in the videos below to practice having positive (sometimes called ‘green’ - for go) thoughts.
If you want to learn about this in more depth; emotional reasoning, negative cycle thinking, magnification and labeling are things talked about in this useful website, as are ways to change these ways of thinking to help ourselves be well.
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Flipping anxiety into excitement
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Recently researchers have discovered that we experience 27 distinct human emotions, not six which is what was originally thought. Furthermore, these feelings are inter-related.
A possible reason that our feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear, excitement are very closely linked, may be as a result of the similar responses in the brain to what is being perceived (seen, felt, smelt, imagined etc.). The great thing about this, is that what we are feeling, can be changed! A great example of fear being experienced as excitement, is the story of legendary and gifted free solo rock climber Alex Honnold. Alex does perceive fear, but with practice and determination he has actually changed the way his brain responds to extreme situations and in turn, the way he feels. You can watch a video of him here. You may also like to read about the brain studies (PG) they did with him to explore the brain structure and activity related to his perception and behaviours. |
So this begs the question...how do we flip anxiety into excitement? How do we take control of the way we are feeling, shifting it to something more positive and enjoyable. Barry McDonagh shares his suggestion in the video below.
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This technique might sound a bit wacky, but a number of experiments have been done to show that the effects of this are indeed real. Try it out next time you are about to make a speech, take a test or exam, talk to someone who are a bit nervous around or going somewhere new.
Want to read about some of the studies? Check them out in the links of this article. |
Counseling
Talking about what is worrying us is a really important way of dealing with things and helping us to find ways to cope better. Find an adult you can trust. This might be Mum or Dad, aunty, koro, teacher, doctor, coach or guidance counselor. It may even be someone you ring or talk with online - but it needs to be someone safe. Sometimes spending time talking with a counselor (outside of school) is a good way to get help.
Here are some safe places you can get counselling support from.
If you get support through child and adolescent mental health services, you may be offered counselling as part of their approach to supporting you.
If you or someone you know is unsafe right now, call 111 (if in New Zealand), or your relevant national emergency number.
Here are some safe places you can get counselling support from.
- Youthline
- 0800 376 633
- Free text 234
- [email protected]
- Online chat
- Kidsline
- 0800 543 754
- Sparx
- 0508 4 SPARX or 0508 477 279
- Free text 3110
If you get support through child and adolescent mental health services, you may be offered counselling as part of their approach to supporting you.
If you or someone you know is unsafe right now, call 111 (if in New Zealand), or your relevant national emergency number.
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