If there is one particular time of day that seems to be the worst for you when it comes to negative thoughts and worry, when would you say that is?
Most people say it's during that downtime in the evenings, right before bed time. Exactly when your brain is supposed to be starting to shut down for a good night's sleep but instead it seem to ramp up with all the "what ifs" and "why didn't yous" from earlier in the day.
Have you ever tried Mindfulness? In my experience, it is an excellent and effective way to train the brain to focus on the here and now instead of getting caught up in your negative thoughts.
It is one of my favourite ways to help those who struggle with anxiety to learn how to shut off the worry, even for just a few moments, when their minds can't seem to relax or focus. It's also a great option for those who struggle with insomnia (falling asleep and staying asleep).
Check out these guided meditations for you and your children to try out over the next few evenings. You can try these together or separately to see which ones you like and which ones you don't. Then, you can share with one another what your experiences were as a way to connect. I strongly suggest at least one parent and one child participate. When a child is struggling, it's not fair for us to expect them to do all the work on their own. By joining in on the practice you are showing them that you are invested in their healing, that you are WITH them on this journey, and that you too are willing to learn new ways to work on your own mental health.
Some questions you may want to discuss as a family:
"What did you like about it?"
"What was difficult for you?"
"What did you like about it?"
The hope is to find at least one that works so that you can use it as a strategy for when the overwhelm gets to be too much.
Keep in mind, mindfulness is an activity you need to practice to keep the mind muscles strong. If you stop practicing your mind tends to bounce back to it's 'comfortable place of being uncomfortable' so make sure to practice frequently.
http://mindfulnessforteens.com/guided-meditations/
Have any favourite Mindfulness activities or resources? Please feel free to reach out and connect!
Have you checked out my facebook page to stay up to date on free resources, tips and strategies? Find me at Mary Klovance Counselling & Parenting Support.