Some kids may find it difficult to use visualization techniques and will benefit from using an actual box. Using the box and writing down your problems on paper also helps to turn something intangible into something they can actually touch, work with, and control. The next step is to schedule “Worry Time”. Worry time is a set time of day when your child has permission and is encouraged to worry as much as he or she wants. This specific time serves as another way to contain the worries. The key is to remember that when worry time is over, you and your child know that the worrying must end for the day. Overall, you are teaching your child that they can be in charge of their worried thoughts, rather than the worried thoughts controlling them. Related Articles This is not easy to do when you feel worried about something. Asking them to stop thinking about it may even make them more focused on the worries. They may feel it is an “unfinished business” or they may worry they will forget about it.

Decorate the exterior:Your child will use the craft supplies to decorate the exterior of the box in any way they like. They can paint it, draw on it with markers, or even add decorative tape for a unique and personalised touch. Let their creativity shine through in this step. Thesymbolic nature of a worry box teaches children that their thoughts are just thoughts, enabling them to understand their emotions and gain control over them. Sometimes when we feel worried, frustrated, or overwhelmed it may help us to store our problems away. Older children will also benefit from using a worry box to make sense of what’s on their mind, and this will help prevent rumination. There’s something about physically writing or drawing your thoughts that helps is process them in a much more helpful way, than if they stay in our heads. You can also use a jar, an envelope, or any container that serves the same purpose of storing worries away.What do you think about the worry jar technique? In my experience, anxious kids really get into this technique and find it very helpful. Will you try it? Please let me know how it goes. To make worry time an effective coping strategy, you need to turn it into a daily routine for your child.

At my clinic, Everlief, a very high percentage of the children and young people I work with have sleep difficulties. Often the main cause is worry. If you are looking for mindfulness crafts to do some work with your kids or students this can be a great project. Better understanding of our thoughts and feelings is part of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence and positive mental health are closely linked. Emotional intelligence is a protective factor for depression, anxiety and stress. Worry Boxes as a Sleep Aid You can learn to manage your mind effectively to minimise stress and anxiety. You do not need to let your worries control or define you. Prepare the inside:If you’re using a cardboard box rather than a tissue box, cut a small opening or “mouth” in one side of the box so you can slip your worries inside. You can also add a lining made of paper, fabric, or any other soft material to the interior.Using your worry box:The next time your child feels worried or anxious, encourage them to write the worry down on a piece of paper and slip it into the worry box’s opening. It can take a couple of weeks to establish this as a habit, so persistence is key. One alternative to a traditional, physical worry box is an imaginary worry box. This method may be more suitable for older kids who have developed the necessary imagination skills to visualise a mental box to store their worries. The ease of accessibility and portability of an imaginary worry box can make it an attractive option. However, it might not offer the same level of satisfaction or comfort that handling a physical box can provide.