Did you know that anxiety is one of the top issues that kids talk to Kids Help Phone about? If you’re feeling anxious, you’re not alone. Because so many kids reach out to Kids Help Phone about anxiety, we asked real kids about their experience. Check out the video below to learn how real kids cope with feelings of worry or anxiety.
I’m 10 years old. 12 years old. 12 years old. 10 years old.
[What’s your special talent?]
Well, I’m really good at making people laugh.
I’m actually really good at reading.
I could kind of juggle.
Dancing.
Fishing for a lot of fish.
[What do you do when you’re bored?]
If I’m bored, I like to play basketball.
I like to read.
I go to my pool.
Running, biking, swimming.
[What makes you worry or feel anxious?]
Something I worry about is my cousin, because I don’t want him to get bullied.
My family, my future.
My family, my future. Tests. I don’t like the pressure.
[What does being anxious or worried feel like to you?]
Just does not feel good.
Being worried feels like frightened or scared or nervous.
Like my heart is beating faster and faster and faster.
Like something’s wrong.
I feel like there’s butterflies in my stomach.
[what makes you feel better when you’re worried or anxious?]
To relieve stress, I like to talk about it with my mom.
Drink water to just help the process, and then I just calm down.
Breath in, breath out, like…
Lay down, listen to music.
Putting my mind on something else.
Cuddle with my cat.
[You can contact Kids Help Phone any time, for any worry]
I think that’s pretty cool, how they can just call.
Kids should talk about their feelings instead of keeping them inside of them or else nothing’s going to happen.
It’s OK to feel sad, worried or anxious from time to time. There are things you can do to work through your emotions and start to feel better. You’re not alone. We’re here for you. For ways to get support, visit KidsHelpPhone.ca
How does anxiety feel and how can I cope with it?
Find others who get it
You may feel anxiety in your body or notice it in how you’re thinking or acting. It can include feeling nervous, panicked, afraid of making a mistake, worried something is going to happen and more. There are many helpful ways to calm and ground yourself when you experience anxiety. Things to try include:
- focusing on breathing
- listening to music
- drinking a glass of water
- taking a break from technology
- talking to someone
- getting active and moving your body
- journaling
- getting creative
Learn more about anxiety
- Questionnaire: Reflecting on feelings of anxiety
- Anxiety disorders: Facts about the most common types
- How to cope with panic and anxiety
- How to help a friend with panic and anxiety
Get tools to support with feeling anxious
- Youth story: How I cope with my anxiety disorder
- Calm your anxiety with this glowing fire body scan
- Breathing Balloon
- Need to share what’s on your mind? Try letter writing!
- I’m feeling overwhelmed — what can I do to feel better?
- How can I cope with my feelings about the future?
Whenever you notice yourself feeling anxious, there are things you can do and tools you can use to feel better. Kids Help Phone is here to support you any time day or night with whatever’s on your mind. Our professional counsellors and volunteer crisis responders know that it’s courageous to reach out for help. To learn how other young people cope with anxiety, visit the Peer-to-Peer community forums at Kids Help Phone.
Kids Help Phone would like to thank all the youth who appear in this video, as well as Professor Alina Kislenko from The ADHD & Spectrum Centre for their contributions to this video.
