AHA!
Anxiety Health Awareness
We aspire to raise awareness and promote open discussions, remove stigmas, build support systems and establish a path towards mental, physical and emotional wellness. We integrate Anxiety Health Wellness into all of our wellness programs, services and classes.
Anxiety is a normal experience in response to real, perceived or anticipated fear and stress. It is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease. Almost everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. As a species, we are hard wired for anxiety. When we face potential dangers, feelings of anxiety are not only natural, they are necessary for survival. Anxiety triggers the fight, flight or freeze response, or our protective armor, designed to protect us from threat.
- A NATURAL FEELING
- EVERYONE EXPERIENCES
- A PART OF LIFE
FIGHT MODE
When we feel we can overpower the threat, hormones prime us for conflict. Children may yell, punch, kick, name call, antagonize or bully.
FLIGHT MODE
When we feel the threat is too powerful, hormones prepare us to run away. Children show avoidance and may be impulsive, fidgety or excitable.
FREEZE MODE
When we feel helpless we dissociate physically, mentally and emotionally. Children may appear disengaged, unable to focus, aloof or disinterested.
The protective armor response is associated with physical symptoms as hormones rush through the body. This armor becomes noticeable in the form of a raised heart rate, stomach discomfort, headache, muscle aches, feeling of lump in throat, sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath, or trembling.
These symptoms are often misunderstood and frightening, leading to more feelings of worry and nervousness. Children may develop adaptive behaviors like avoidance, excessive worrying, parent reassurance dependence and a need for perfection or increased control.
Anxiety can be a problem when our body continually triggers protective armor in the absence of real danger.
- THOUGHTS CREATE FEELINGS
- FEELINGS CREATE BEHAVIOR
- BEHAVIOR REINFORCES THOUGHTS
- NORMAL ANXIETY
- Embarrassment or self-consciousness in an uncomfortable or awkward social situation
- Nerves before a test, presentation, performance or sporting event
- Worry, sadness, or difficulty sleeping immediately after a traumatic event
- Realistic fear or worry of a dangerous object, place or situation
- DISORDER
- Constant, unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life
- Avoidance behaviors due to reoccurring intrusive thoughts and concerns
- Sudden, Unforeseen panic attacks and fear of having additional attacks
- Irrational, unwarranted fear or avoidance of a situation or object
Physio-Logics Wellness provides an understanding of basic neurology and normal physiology of thoughts, feelings and behaviors to promote Anxiety Health Awareness (AHA!) and prevent related disorders.
AHA!
CHILDREN LEARN TO RECOGNIZE
- Anxiety as a Normal Feeling
- False Anxiety Alarms
- Anxiety is Adaptable
- Associated Physical Symptoms
- Preceding Emotions
- Anxious Thoughts
- Avoidance Behaviors
- Self for Reassurance
- Strategies to Tolerate Uncertainty
- Context to Avoid Labeling Self
- A Connection with Others Experiencing Anxiety
Emotions vs Feelings
CHILDREN LEARN TO UNDERSTAND MIND BODY COMMUNICATION
EMOTIONS
- automatic and primitive
- responses to situations
- programmed into our genes
- subconsciously controlled
- cause physical changes
- emotions precede feelings
FEELINGS
- reactions to an emotion
- a state of being
- acquired through experiences
- influenced by memories
- affected by our beliefs
- adaptable, can be trained
Understanding the relationship between our emotions, feelings, thoughts and behaviors is the foundation of Physio-Logics Anxiety Health Awareness program, services and classes.
We aspire to help children establish a path toward mental, physical and emotional wellness, resiliency and success. We utilize evidence-based wellness approaches to foster knowledge and ability to self regulate the program elements.
Physio-Logics wellness programs are evidence-based and demonstrate effectiveness in promoting social, emotional and behavioral health. Medical treatment is required for mental health disorders. If you question whether your child needs additional support or they are showing signs of an anxiety related disorder seek professional consult from your pediatrician or mental health provider.
peaceful mind. strong body. empowered spirit.