Resources  email page print page Basic Information Introduction to Anxiety DisordersOrganizations for Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders Symptoms - AgoraphobiaSymptoms - Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorders Symptoms - Panic AttackAnxiety Disorders Symptoms - Panic DisorderAnxiety Disorders Symptoms - Social PhobiaAnxiety Disorders Symptoms - Specific PhobiaSymptoms of Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders Treatment - Generalized Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorders Treatment - Panic DisorderAnxiety Disorders Treatment - Social PhobiaAnxiety Disorders Treatment - Specific PhobiaTreatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and TraumaTreatment of Panic-Related Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders Treatment - Phobias More Information Anxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 6Anxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 7Anxiety Disorders in Children and AdolescentsCouples Therapy for Robert and Julia (Romeo and Juliet)Do You Have a Shy Bladder? UpdatedFacts About Anxiety DisordersFacts about Generalized Anxiety DisorderFacts about Panic DisorderFacts about Social PhobiaHoardingPanic Disorder - When Fear Holds SwayParent's Anxiety Disorders And Children's AdjustmentPTSD treatment readiness and the looming Iraq war PTSD bubbleSix Simple Habits That Defeat AnxietySmall Penis Syndrome: Characteristics and Self-Help Treatment SuggestionsWhy People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 3Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 4Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 5Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with David Barlow, Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic DisordersWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Dr. Michelle Craske on Anxiety Disorders Research and TreatmentWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Richard Heimberg, Ph.D. on Anxiety Research and TreatmentWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Steven Phillipson, Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Latest News Depression, Anxiety May Raise Odds of ObesityTroubled Minds Can Mean Wider WaistlinesSoothe Back-to-School Anxiety, Teach Kids to RelaxClassification of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder DebatableHealth Tip: Signs That You May Have Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderInsomnia and Anxiety May Be Genetically LinkedStudy Challenges Link Between Panic Attacks, PTSDBehavioral Therapy Improves Anxiety Symptoms in ElderlyGirls' Anti-Social Behavior Predictive of Later DepressionAntidepressant Eases Anxiety in Older AdultsSerotonin Transporter Gene Tied to Social AnxietyPanic Disorder Linked to Higher Risk of Heart DiseaseAnxiety News Feeds Questions and Answers I'm Afraid I'm Going CrazyPost Brain Surgery Mental ProblemsWould Medication Help? obsessive strange thoughts about life and existentialismAm I Crazy?Is it Anxiety? Is it Normal to Be Like That?Depressed 19 year old college studentDepression helps to contribute to my unemployment! - Paula Relationship Anxiety Disconnected Blog Entries Taking a Mindful Path Through ShynessYou vs. Procrastination: 1 (Mindful) Secret to Winning the BattleFreedom from Your Anxious MindAre You Wired to Worry? 3 Common Mistakes People Make When Working with InsomniaThere is No Such Thing as ADDWhat You Need to Know to Help Heal Insomnia Overcoming School Anxiety: An Interview with Diane Peters MayerHoardingAn Interview with Gail Steketee, PhD, on Hoarding and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)In a Falling Economy, Trust Your Gut Or Reason? Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social PhobiaDo You Have a Shy Bladder? UpdatedWhat Every Parent Should Know About School Anxiety5 Steps to Emotional Freedom: Placebo or Panacea?Couples Therapy for Robert and Julia (Romeo and Juliet)Anxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 7Can Anxiety Be a Good Thing? Anxiety as a Defense Against Depression: Part 6Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 5Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 4Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 3Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: Part 2Why People Might Use Anxiety to Avoid Depression: What We Can Learn From a Wartime ExperienceI Blush, Therefore I...Feeling Stuck with Anxiety or Depression? Try this Today! Catastrophizing Controlling Your Life: 3 Steps to Break FreeNew A&E Series Explores Anxiety DisordersRejection, Why Does It Hurt So Much?An Interview with Steven Phillipson, Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Anxiety, Stress and Depresion in Light of the RecessionTherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder – building a life instead of digging up the past?Young Yet Sad: The Social PhobicHow trying to avoid your fear, anxiety, and panic keeps it knocking on your doorCatastrophizing Illness: Mind and Body RevisitedAn Interview with Victoria Lemle Beckner, Ph.D. on Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Small Penis Syndrome: Characteristics and Self-Help Treatment SuggestionsSocial Phobia and Self Concept and the BrainAn Interview with Frank Ochberg, MD on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)TIME OUT! 2 Things you can practice today to stave off anxiety and depression in this hectic time. Shy Bladder Syndrome (Paruresis): Getting HelpAn Interview with Edna Foa, Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Going to the Dentist: Fears and PhobiasStuff, Why Is It So Difficult to Part With?An Interview with Michelle Craske, Ph.D. on Anxiety Disorders Research and TreatmentBlenophobia, The Fear of NeedlesDo You Have a Shy Bladder?Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Plagued by DoubtPost Traumatic Stress Disorder and Iraqi VeteransPsychotherapy and Murder in New York: Should We All Stay Home?An Interview with David H. Barlow Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic DisordersWorried SickAn Interview with Richard Heimberg, Ph.D. on Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder Research and TreatmentTreating PTSD, Part TwoNational Stress Øut WeekHalloween...Fear With A PurposePTSD treatment readiness and the looming Iraq war PTSD bubbleParent's Anxiety Disorders And Children's AdjustmentAn Anxiety Disorder: Small Penis SyndromeCollege and Mental Health Problems, They Go TogetherSeparation Anxiety DisorderRecognizing emotion gets harder or easier depending on your moodThe Story of A Psychiatric Service Dog TeamEarly verbal abuse results in more adult depressionOn Being A PerfectionistChronic cortisol exposure causes mood disordersTreating PTSD with Beta-BlockersDavid Beckham has OCDCortisol May Be an Anxiety TreatmentGenetic contribution to OCD may have been identified Videos Top 10 Phobias VideoAll About Fears and Phobias VideoSpotting the Signs of Stress VideoAnxiety Overview VideoFighting Fears and Phobias VideoMedication for Fears and Phobias VideoSocial Anxiety Disorder VideoAgoraphobia VideoCognitive Behavioral Treatments for Phobias VideoAlternative Treatments for Phobias VideoAnxiety and OCD VideoChildhood Phobias and Anxieties VideoGenerlized Anxiety Disorder VideoPanic Disorder VideoPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder VideoIf I Had - A Child With Sudden Mood or Anxiety Symptoms Video Overcoming AnxietyTransient vs. Persistent Anxiety in ChildrenTreatments for Pediatric AnxietyIdentifying Childhood AnxietyOvercoming Fear of HeightsGeneralized Anxiety DisorderToo Scared: Social Anxiety DisorderObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) VideoPanic Disorders VideoPhobias Video Links [3] Articles[3] Associations[5] Community[2] Government[25] Information[2] Journals[2] Research[2] Self-Help[2] Tutorials[26] Videos[2] Personal Experiences[7] Blogs[2] Podcasts Book Reviews A Brief History of AnxietyAnxietyAnxiety, Phobias, and PanicBeen There, Done That? DO THIS!Calm Beneath the WavesGetting ControlHelping Students Overcome Depression and AnxietyJust CheckingOvercoming School AnxietyPanic DisorderPassing for NormalPhobic and Anxiety Disorders in Children and AdolescentsRepressed SpacesSelf-CoachingStressStress Survival GuideTextbook of Anxiety DisordersThe Age of AnxietyThe Anxieties of AffluenceThe Male Stress Survival GuideThe Places That Scare YouThe Stress CureTreating Affect PhobiaUnder Pressure and OverwhelmedWhen Words Are Not EnoughWish I Could Be ThereYoga Journal's Yoga for Stress Self-Help Groups BPSO (Bipolar Significant Others Bulletin Board)

Community Talk about this issue in our mental health support community

Therapist Search Find a Therapist:  (USA/CAN only) Use our Advanced Search to locate a therapist outside of North America.

Related Topics Depression: Major Depression & Unipolar Varieties Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Emotional Resilience Mental Disorders Autism ADHD Alcohol & Substance Abuse Anxiety Disorders Bipolar Disorder Conversion Disorders Depression (Unipolar) Depression Primer Disorders of Childhood Eating Disorders Dissociative Disorders Impulse Control Disorders Internet Addiction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Personality Disorders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Schizophrenia Sexual Disorders Suicide & Self-Harm Tourettes and other Tic Disorders Medical Disorders Alzheimers And Other Dementias Cancer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Colds and Flu Crohns Disease / Irritable Bowel Diabetes Epilepsy Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Memory Problems Men's Health Multiple Sclerosis Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sleep Disorders Stroke Women's Health Wellness Anger Management Emotional Resilience Exercise Smoking Stress Reduction Weight Loss Life Issues Abuse Adoption Child Care Dating Disabilities Disasters Divorce Domestic Violence and Rape Elder Care Family & Relationship Issues Grief & Bereavement Issues Pain Management Parenting Parenting Child & Adolescent Development Overview Child Development and Parenting: Infants Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood Pregnancy Infertility Child Care Relationship Problems Self Esteem Sexuality & Sexual Problems Speech Problems Terrorism & War Healthcare Health Insurance Health Policy & Advocacy Health Sciences Mental Health Professions Treatments & Interventions Alternative Medicine Assessment Medications Psychotherapy Lifespan Development Pregnancy Child & Adolescent Development Overview Child Development and Parenting: Infants Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood Sexuality & Sexual Problems Homosexuality & Bisexuality Aging & Geriatrics Death & Dying

SUNDAY, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Children who are nervous about the new school year can relax by practicing "mindfulness" during anxious moments, researchers say.

Experts at Duke University, in Durham, N.C., recommend mindfulness, which is a technique borrowed from meditation, to help children transition into the new school year and deal with many academic and social pressures.

"Making a transition, whether it's to a new school, a new teacher or a new grade, signals change," said Dr. Michelle Bailey, a pediatrician at Duke Integrative Medicine, in a news release from the university. "When adults are stressed, they often turn to smoking or alcohol or food to pacify emotions. We need to teach kids how to handle stress in a healthy way."

Mindfulness encourages children to live in the moment and not fret as much about future events, Bailey said. In addition, practicing meditative techniques can help children sleep better, reduce anxiety and stay more focused.

advertisement

The following exercises can help young practitioners achieve a level of mindfulness:

• Mindful breathing: Ask the child to take time in the morning and evening to pay attention to his or her breathing for 20 inhales and exhales. Steady breathing has a calming effect on the body.
• Mindful walking: After dinner, take a walk and pay attention to all the sights, sounds and colors. Encourage the child to use this technique on the playground and at school.
• Mindful listening: At the dinner table, ring a bell or play a note on a musical instrument to capture the family's attention, then give each person a turn to speak about their day while the rest of the family gives their full attention, to encourage active listening.

To get the best results, Bailey suggests that families go to an accredited, mindfulness-based, stress-reduction program offered at many clinics and hospitals.

"Mindfulness helps kids recognize their thoughts, reconnect with their emotions and understand how that impacts their behavior," Bailey said in the news release. "Ultimately, if we can heighten awareness of our thoughts, we can modify our emotions and that changes behavior."

More information

Mental Health America has more on how to recognize the signs of stress.

This article: Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Share:

Link: (Here's how to do it ... )

To link to this article:

1. Copy the HTML link code shown in the box just below.
2. Paste this HTML code into your blog or web page, into a forum post or a blog comment you make, into your Facebook feed, etc.

<a href="http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=121533&cn=1">Soothe Back-to-School Anxiety, Teach Kids to Relax</a>

Thank you!