Tried-and-tested tips to help you say goodbye to anxiety

Hands up, those who have ever felt nervous — the sweaty palms, heartbeat, and unanswered questions that make you not want to try something new, meet someone new, or get out of your comfort zone.

- Helen Farmer

As a child, this can be the first day of school, standing up in front of classmates, and separation anxiety. As adults, it can be a job interview, a first date, a networking event, hitting ‘send’ on an email you’ve been stressing about, and countless little things that keep you awake at night. We’ve all been there, but how we cope is what sets us apart – and is something we have some control over, regardless of age.

Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, but for many families, knowing how to navigate it can feel overwhelming. As parents, all we want to do is make the worries disappear — to hold their hand every step of the way, to say, ‘It’s okay, stay at home today’, minimise, dismiss, and pretend everything is fine.

This doesn’t help or equip our children for life’s inevitable challenges and discomforts.

As a mum and an author, I’ve come to learn that some of the best ways to help children manage their anxiety are through open conversations, simple coping techniques, and the power of storytelling.