Things that may keep anxiety going for you

• Checking the news and social media too often
• Focusing attention on your body for symptoms of illness
• Avoiding tasks we should be doing
• Not talking about feelings, which can make children feel alone or unusual for feeling their feelings
• Using unhelpful coping strategies like drinking more alcohol, or eating more than usual

Things that may keep anxiety going for your child

• Change in routine or not having any daily routine
• Too much information about the risks of the Coronavirus
• Sharing too many worries with your children
• Changes in parent’s behaviour
• Avoiding doing things due to fears and worries
• Thoughts that overestimate the risks and underestimate their ability to cope

The biggest thing you can do to help your child’s anxiety is to try to manage your own. You could even include them in this; for example, do some relaxation exercises together.

• Manage your fight or flight response. Slow down your body by practicing some relaxation or deep breathing
• Focus on what you can control. Write a list of things you can control and things you can’t control
• Find ways to distract your children and yourself, and have fun
• Supervise children’s social media use; this can help them to use it appropriately in the future
• Encourage your child to write down some affirming phrases which they can read when feeling anxious like, “This feeling will pass”, “I can cope”
• Talk to your child about their worries; you could dispel myths they may be having
• Stick to a routine; this can take away some uncertainty
• Encourage regular exercise, getting out for a walk and contact with friends