Overcoming Halloween Anxiety
Halloween is just 2 days away and it seems like every year the costumes become a bit more realistic and little more scary too.
For some children this can all feel a bit too much.
A sudden flood of scary faces, masks and costumes can be overwhelming.
Sometimes though, halloween can be a good thing. It can help children learn that feeling a bit scared can lead to something fun.
Children with anxiety find it hard to switch between their emotional brain and their thinking brain. The emotional brain tells the child that the person in the costume is a threat and the thinking brain struggles to take back control and say no it’s just someone playing dress up.
The STILL Method was created to address this battle between the emotional brain and thinking brain. Our clubs are fun, and exciting, but each activity is strengthening the power of the thinking brain and taking back control from the emotional brain.
Get in touch to find a group near you!
Here’s how you can use the STILL Method to have a less anxious halloween
Practice a simple STOP technique so that your child has a tool to feel calm if they feel overwhelmed. Maybe hot chocolate breathing demonstrated in the video at the bottom of the page.
Remember not to worry on your child’s behalf. Last year, I heard of parents who were really troubled after some children trick or treaters dressed as a character from a gruesome film. Remember, your child doesn’t know that movie so as long as you behave relaxed about that costume, they will too.
Spend time imagining having a fun halloween. Talk about the aspects of halloween that are fun and enjoyable. Building the positives in advance can be a great way to prepare the mind for what comes later.
Start small. Children with anxiety often feel conflicted. They want to enjoy and take part in an activity whilst simultaneously feeling afraid. Why not work together to set a small target. Just go for a short walk together. Visit a few houses. It’s better to build confidence doing something for a short while, than a experience that starts well and ends badly.
Listen to the big feelings. Some feelings can be so big they can get confusing. The feelings of excitement and fear come from same parts of the mind. Take time to listen to children’s fear. Explain why they don’t need to be afraid, without telling them not to be afraid.
Hopefully, with a bit of practice you can help your child learn the same thing children who come to STILL Method clubs learn, that it’s possible to feel afraid and still keep going, because on the other side of that fear is fun excitement and opportunities.
Hot, Chocolate breathing! A fun tool to help feel calm
