Anxiety Strategies for Children and Teens - 8 Journaling Prompts To Help With Anxiety
Updated: Apr 26
Does Journaling Help Anxiety?
Journaling can be a useful tool for managing childhood and teen anxiety by providing a safe and private space for exploration of thoughts and emotions. Writing about feelings and experiences can help your child or teen to manage their anxiety and become more self-aware. This can lead to a better understanding of their emotions and behaviors, which can help with overall processing and making positive changes. Journaling also helps to reduce stress levels and allows your child or teen to gain a sense of understanding of their anxiety and control over the outcome.
Your child's journal should be a personal space for them to express themselves, reflect on their thoughts and feelings, and track their progress. They can choose to write in it daily or whenever they feel like it. They should be encouraged to write about anything that's on their mind. The most important thing is that your child or teen feels comfortable and safe in their journaling practice, and that it helps them manage your anxiety in a way that works for them.
Here are some journal prompts to help your child or teen work through your anxiety:
What does my anxiety, look, feel, and sound like to me?
What is a way my anxiety has held me back in the past?
What does my perfect day look like?
Think of a time you failed at something. What did that experience teach you?
What is something I need to let go of?
What activities make me calm?
What do anxious thoughts say?
Find a name for anxiety
Journaling can be an effective tool for personal growth, self-reflection, and improving overall well-being. It offers a confidential and secure outlet for exploring your thoughts and emotions, aiding in the development of enhanced self-awareness and resilience.
The most crucial tip for journaling is to support your child or teen to write without worrying about whether it is correctly spelled, profound, or flawless. Let your child know that they can just start by writing whatever comes to mind, without judgment. Remember, the goal is to improve emotional well-being, so we don't want anyone to feel worse during the process. Your child should allow their thoughts and emotions to flow freely and write without fear of being judged or criticized. The more they practice, the easier it will become, and the more benefits they will experience from their journaling practice.
