Coping Skills: Tools for Managing Big Emotions 🛡️

When your emotions are big, these tools can help bring more calm to your mind and body.

🌸Take a "Flower Breath":  Breathe in slowly through your nose, like you are smelling a flower and then slowly exhale💨  through your mouth like you are blowing away the petals.  Breathe in for 4 and out for 6 and repeat at least three times.

🧍🏽Squeeze-and-Release:  Squeeze your hands into tight fists for a count of 5, then let them relax completely. Feel the difference! This helps your body let go of tension it's holding. (another option is to use a stress ball)

👟Move Your Body:  Some emotions bring an increase in energy and when that happens, you can get that energy out! Do some jumping jacks, dance to your favorite song 🎶, or run in place for one minute.

🌴Go to Your Happy Place:  Close your eyes and imagine a place where you feel safe and happy (a cozy space at home, a favorite place to visit, an outdoor space).  Think about what you see, hear, and smell in that place.

💬Talk it out:  Find a trusted adult and use your words to tell them how you feel.  Saying it out loud can help you make sense of the emotion and feel less overwhelmed.

A Heart Full of Thanks: Gratitude Practice 💗

Practicing gratitude is all about being thankful for the good things in our lives, no matter how small they may seem.  Regularly focusing on what we are grateful for can help us to feel happier and have more helpful thinking.

The Thankful 3 Challenge: Every day, try to name three things you are thankful for.

• It could be something big, like your family, or small, like sunshine on your face or a special snack.

Caregiver Tip: You can do this together with your child during dinner or before bed!

• Example:

1. I am thankful for my cozy blanket.

2. I am thankful for time playing with my friend.

3. I am thankful for the rain that helps trees and plants to grow.

Parent Resources for Family Stress

Life can be complicated, and sometimes stress at home affects everyone.  Here are some helpful, trusted resources for caregivers:

The Child Mind Institute:  Taking the stress out of family gatherings

National Child Traumatic Stress Network:  How trauma affects families and family relationships

2-1-1:  To quickly get information about locally available programs for financial and basic needs support, click here

Mental Health America: For general support and resources regarding mental health, visit this page

Sesame Workshop: From Sesame Street, these are resources for families experiencing a range of stressors are available