Staying Positive on Your Journey
Going back to “school” can make anyone nervous and anxious.
Staying connected with loved ones and getting enough sleep and exercise can help keep you mentally and emotionally refreshed and focused for learning.
Some techniques for relaxation and/or reducing anxiety include:
Drop an Anchor
This technique can ground yourself in the moment when emotions feel overwhelming.
- Sit in a chair, back straight, shoulders back and relaxed, feet flat on the floor
- Breathe deeply and pay attention to each sense for a few minutes each. [Feel, Hear, Smell, Taste, See]
- After each, notice and acknowledge your emotions and that it may be difficult to manage.
- Come back, stretch, and appreciate yourself.
For a guided process, use this video
Additional Information:
How to Ground Yourself When Anxiety Takes Over by Eileen Fisher
Dropping Anchor infographic adapted from the work of Dr. Russ Harris
Mindfulness/Meditation Tools
Taking some time for mindfulness or meditation each week can be a helpful part of your learning process. Below are a few of the many apps that can help. Note: this list is not an endorsement of a specific approach or product. Apps are available for both Android and iOS unless otherwise stated.
- BetterSleep: (Free with premium options) Create a soundscape, premium includes a sleep tracker
- Breathe2Relax: (Free – Android, iOS ) Guided deep breathing app
- Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite: (Free – Android, iOS)
- Smiling Mind: (Free) Short, daily programs aligned with your life goals.
- Stress Relief Coloring: (Free)
Do you have a different app to share or did you have a problem with one of these? Let us know!
IMPORTANT: If you are feeling that your concerns and/or feelings related to your learning is significantly impacted your life, please reach out to someone you can trust to talk to help. You can also call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for the Suicide or Crisis Lifeline.