Poll Results: 100+ Things To Do When You're Worried (includes tips for young people)

 

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's for sending me my contributor copies of I'M WORRIED, a new picture book written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by me (launches June 4th)! They also send me a box of these adorable Stress Potatoes.

I recently did a poll over on my Instagram account and my Facebook Page, asking what people did when they are stressed or worried. Thanks to all who responded! I've let winners know on Instagram by tagging them after their comments; on Facebook, I will email or message them privately. There are 12 winners who receive either a book, Stress Potato, a doodle, Power To The Potato stickers or combo -- if you'd like me to send you a list of usernames, please let me know.

Here is a list of what people do when they're stressed or worried:

Hugs, laugh with, or help someone.

Go outside and get some fresh air. 

Read. ("I read. And eat good cheese while reading. And hang out with my family. Also while reading.") 

Do pilates.

Do yoga.

Dance. Dance outside. Dance in the kitchen.

Create a safe space in your classroom where students can choose to go when they are feeling emotions that make it difficult for them to learn. Keep the space stocked with tools to heop themselves regular back to a calm and focused state.

Have a bath. Have a lavender salt bath. 

Surround yourself with quiet.

Do mindful breathing ("for myself and my students."). Advice from a Pre-K educator: "I advise my students to pretend to 'smell' a flower so they can breathe deeply."

Meditate.

Listen to music.

Make lists ("list making can help clear my head").

Make lists of the positives. ("I advise young worriers to focus on the positives, and to take things a little at a time.")

Walk outside.

Run outside.

Pray. Use the serenity prayer.

Pull weeds. "When I'm stressed, I head out in the garden or woods behind my house and pull some weeds or fight back the invasive vines. The combination of nature, exercise, and a little destruction mkes me feel so much better."

Bake or cook.

Knitting.

Go to the gym.

Talk with a friend.

Slow down.

Take a step back, breathe, put things in perspective. "Many times I find I need time to process the stressors before reacting."

Memorize a poem.

Ask yourself, what really matters?

Make collages.

Spend time with nature, looking at everything, listening and smelling.

Find the courage to admit that worrying changed nothing.

Breathe through the worry instead of trying to push it away. Everyone worries. "Fear of emotions is what paralyzes us."

See a movie.

Go to an art museum.

Talk out your worries. "My son has been a worrier since he was very young. We talk about what's the worst that can happen; what would that look/sound/be like? And then we talk about what the best thing that could happen."

Play the guitar.

Curl up in a comfy chair to read ("audiobooks help, too!").

Housecleaning.

Jam out to super loud music and cry.

Write about your feelings in a journal.

Remind young people to be as prepared as they can be, but to be flexible because even the best laid plans don't always work out the way we anticipate.

Do something creative.

Change your scenery, get moving. "Seeing something different clears my mind."

Take photos of nature.

Take a nap.

Watch a play.

Binge-watch cartoons or other fun videos. Some mentioned: Tom & Jerry, Bob Ross, Andy Griffith Show.

Play a board game.

Get a massage.

Avoid avoidance. Instead, take small steps to densensitive your child to anxiety triggers. If they're afraid of dogs, for example, start by looking at pictures of different types of dogs and talking about what the child is feeling.

Squeeze a stress ball.

Keep a stress jar. Once a day, write down things you can control and things you can't. Fold the paper with the list and put it away in your stress jar (or box). Sometimes just writing down your worries and physically putting them away can help.

Go for a bike ride.

Volunteer for a good cause.

Embrace your inner child by coloring in a coloring book.

Do something creative: paint, write, sculpt, etc.

Mindfully eat something delicious.

Spend time with a baby.

Create a relaxation playlist (or find one online).

Sew and quilt.

Juggle.

Watch funny family shows.

Go to a pet store.

Buy yourself some flowers.

Walk in the garden.

Organize things.

Spend time near the water (walk, sit etc.)

Eat dark chocolate.

Drink wine.

Play ukulele.

Do felting.

Punch couch cushions.

Play guitar.

Draw what is stressing you.

Watch a superhero movie.

Take your dog for a walk. Play with your dog.

Pet the cat.

Eat ice cream.

Snuggle with a child.

Snuggle with a pet.

Snuggle with a friend or loved one.

Wear comfort clothes. Wear clothes that belong or belonged to a loved one ("it feels like a hug!")

Do crossword puzzles.

Go fishing.

Play with your kids.

Listen to a podcast.

Sing your heart out.

Use the Calm app.

Play Candy Crush.

Stress-eat.

Eat something with potatoes.

Browse social media.

Scream.

Bite your fingernails.

Walk your invisible dog.

Recite the wisdom of evil universe Dr. Seuss: "Today you are stressed / that is truer than true./ There is no one today / who is more stressed than you." (contributed by Derek Mah)

Do you have other ideas for what to do when you're worried? Or what young people can do when they're worried? Plesae post below!