Manage Your Feelings
It’s definitely NOT easy being young! Sometimes it’s tough to avoid feeling worried, and pressure can build up.
Some of the things we might be worried about are; friends and family, how we look, not having the things other people have, feeling different and our health.
Activities to help with anxiety
- Go for a walk. The combination of exercise and fresh air works wonders for feeling better. Enjoy the sounds, sights and smells of nature.
- Do something you want to do – watch a movie; enjoy some pizza. Enjoy some chill time!
- Let yourself go! Put on some tunes – loud; and dance and sing.
- Engross yourself in a good book or some colouring shutting out any problems or worries you may have.
- Talk to people. Talk to friends and family if something is causing you heightened anxiety. Check out some local services at the bottom of this page.
Try doing this
Make sure you are somewhere quiet with no distractions (maybe put your phone on silent, switch off the TV?) and there is a place where you can sit upright (on the floor with legs crossed if you wish) or lay down comfortably.
If you’re feeling hurt and stressed and anxious by what has been happening, try some of these muscle exercises to help you relax
- Hands – clench one hand tightly for a few seconds as you breathe in. You should feel your forearm muscles tense; then relax as you breathe out. Repeat with the other hand.
- Arms – bend an elbow and tense all the muscles in the arm for a few seconds as you breathe in; then relax as you breathe out. Repeat the same with the other arm.
- Shoulders – raise your shoulders as high as you can as you breathe in; then relax as you breathe out.
- Neck – press your head back as hard as is comfortable and roll it slowly from side to side; then relax.
Manage Your Feelings Resources for 13-16 year olds
Change 4 Life
A programme to help your family be healthier and happier by eating well and moving more.
Childline
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Compass RISE (Wakefield)
Helps children, young people and families facing low mood, friendship problems, bullying, online bullying or feeling angry, lonely or sad before things get worse. Text BUZZ to 85258 for text messaging support, call 01924 665 093 or send off a referral form
Growing Healthy
Speak to your school nurse or call them Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0300 373 0944.
Here For You
Opening Hours: 6pm to Midnight every day of the year for support. People can refer online 24/7 and our local teams will contact people back within 24 hours:
Inspiring Futures Drug and Alcohol Service
We support young people and their families to deal with the challenges they face around drugs, alcohol & surrounding issues. If you have questions about substances or feel that your drug or alcohol use might be becoming a problem, free support is available.
Night OWLS
Confidential support line for children, young people, and parents/ carers. Available 8pm–8am every day. Freephone 0800 1488 244 Text: 07984 392700
SHOUT
The UK's first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It's a place to go if you're struggling to cope.