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Anxious thoughts are a common problem for parents and children alike - arising from school, work, relationships and uncertainty about the future.

When these thoughts become frequent fixtures in the mind, they can lead to unhelpful coping mechanisms - like avoiding worrying situations, having tantrums and changing eating habits. If these thoughts take over they can even lead to depression.

So, how do you tackle these anxious thoughts as they appear? How do you help your child to do the same? Distraction is a very simple method that can provide a welcome break from anxiety. Psychologist Dr Anna Colton explains how…

Dr Anna's technique

• Anxiety lives in the future, because when we are anxious, it is about something that hasn’t happened yet.
• Distracting yourself with a task or activity will help pull you back into the present, away from that future-focused worry.
• Anything that takes you or your child's entire focus could be used as a distraction from anxious thoughts, including; having a chat with someone; exercising; or playing a game.
• With enough focus on a present activity, the anxiety will start to dwindle.

Try this technique yourself, or, if your child is struggling with anxiety, you could talk them through it step-by-step.

For more ways to tackle anxiety, take a look at some more advice from Dr Anna on the Parents' Toolkit collection.

����ý Action Line has further information and support around mental health for young people and adults

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