Many of us, especially now that it is testing time, have felt that anxiety. For some of us it is typical nervousness brought on by feelings of pressure to do well or an awareness that we did not study as well as we should have. For others, it can be a chronic feeling of impending doom. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Pounding or racing heart
• Sweating
• Trembling or tingling
• Chest pain
• Feelings of impending doom
• Feelings of being out of control

So what can be done to help cope with these feelings? First, you should tell someone that you are experiencing them. Finding the appropriate help starts with telling someone there is an issue. If you feel like you cannot talk to your parent or other trusted person about this, you can always talk to someone in the Center for Peace. Just pop in, or ask a teacher for a pass. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders  affect 40 million adults in the US every year. You might feel alone, but you certainly are not!!

While things like therapy are often necessary to overcome the effects of anxiety on your life, there are some things that you can do to help in the moment of a panic attack. Many people find that fidgets help them regain a feeling of control. There are many different types of fidgets and many are small and quiet enough that no one would even know you have it. Ninth grade teacher, Mrs. Schmalacker, keeps an “Anxiety First Aid Kit” in her classroom. In it, she has keychains that have multiple textures, lavender scented hand sanitizer, play-doh, a squishy ball, and a pop bracelet. “I know what it feels like and it is awful. I just want to be able to provide my students with some help when they need it. Sometimes just knowing it is there and that what you are experiencing is real is enough to start to calm down,” she shared. According to Mrs. Schmalacker, students ask for items from the basket all the time. Some even come during the day from other classes when they are feeling like they need a little support. She added, “I wish every classroom was given a basket like this as a part of regular classroom supplies. It would be a game-changer for some kids (and teachers)!”