Probably the best thing you can do for yourself and your child is to maintain a calm nervous system. This supports you from the inside. It takes work but it means that you can help your child from a position of thriving. Anxiety is contagious so if you are anxious then your child will pick it up. If you are relaxed the same applies.
Here are some links which might help:
FOR PARENTS
The Circle of Security https://youtu.be/1wpz8m0BFM8
Mindsum is a young persons’ therapy directory which has great resources and articles: https://www.mindsum.org/
FOR YOU
Irene Lyon on nervous system regulation – https://youtu.be/dROMV8vQ07U
Hilary Jacobs Hendel -exercise to help anxiety – https://youtu.be/1Lt7o6INMTQ
Hilary Jacobs Hendel shares a grounding technique – https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/ground-technique
If you are a Highly Sensitive Person your nervous system will need extra care to manage all the stimuli coming in.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/highly-sensitive-person
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tKDnsns2bg
Creativity and Therapeutic Writing
Being creative can help with anxiety in lots of ways. We can’t be occupied with worrying thoughts at the same time as being totally absorbed in a creative activity. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, as it allows expression of underlying emotions as well as giving us great enjoyment.
Linda Naiman gives us tips to nourish our creativity:
https://www.creativityatwork.com/seven-habits-of-highly-creative-people/
BOOKS ON CREATIVITY
- ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron is full of suggestions (which don’t necessarily take a lot of time), about how to feed our inner ‘artist’.
- ‘Writing Routes’ by Gillie Bolton gives prompts to help you get started with therapeutic writing.
- ‘Writing Down the Bones’ by Natalie Goldberg is direct and helpful, with a simple style, especially if you want to write about your life.
Books I like
I love to read memoirs. Here are some favourites:
- ‘Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?’ by Jeanette Winterson.
I love it because it’s skillfully written, hilarious, deeply moving, and explores the complexities of attachment issues.
- ‘The Shining Light of Two Stars’ by Ellen Bass.
Another memoir around mothers and daughters. Her poetry is fantastic too. Hard hitting and beautiful.
- ‘Toast’ by Nigel Slater.
Written in a child’s voice – a story of grief. I love this way of writing – it’s so honest. Simply structured with chapter headings relating to food.
- ‘Family Life’ by Akhil Sharma.
This book conveys what it is like to be uprooted from one’s culture, as well as family tragedy and loss. The child’s viewpoint allows interesting perceptions and heartfelt emotion.
