If you ever feel scared or worried about something or think something bad is going to happen, it is OK. Even adults get that feeling sometimes. It is called anxiety. Anxiety is a normal feeling that everyone experiences, but sometimes it can become overwhelming and interfere with our daily lives. It is important to know that it is okay to feel anxious and that you are not alone.  Anxiety can make your body feel badly too...Your heart will begin to race and you may feel dizzy, sweaty, shaky and hot.

Kids may feel worried or scared about performing in front of others, being away from their parents, meeting new kids, tests at school, going to the doctor or even creepy spiders or imaginary monsters. There are different types of anxiety disorders. However, when you feel scared, it is always important to share your feelings with trusted adults and not be afraid to ask for help. So if you are feeling anxious, remember that it is okay to talk about it, and you are not alone. 

It is O.K. to feel scared.  You can learn ways to help your brain and body relax.  You can overcome your anxiety.

Let's learn more about the different types of anxiety and how you can find ways to calm yourself down...

Marty is a moose who lives in a forest surrounded by all of his animal friends. Marty loves to play games, explore the woods and make new friends. However, there is one thing that makes him feel very anxious, and that is speaking in front of a group of animals.

Whenever Marty is around many animals or has to speak in public, his heart begins to pump really fast. His body freezes, becomes quiet, and he is unable to mutter a word. This condition is called selective mutism, the childhood "version" of Social Anxiety Disorder, and it makes Marty feel very nervous and frustrated.

The big, annual forest talent show was coming up in a few weeks. Marty's animal friends were so excited to participate and show off their skills. Marty wanted to join in on the fun, but he felt very scared and nervous about speaking on stage. 

He was afraid his anxiety would stop him from joining his friends.

ANNUAL FOREST TALENT SHOW!

I CAN'T SLEEP...

MY TUMMY 

HURTS.  I AM 

NERVOUS...  

As the day of the show approached, Marty felt more and more anxious. He had trouble sleeping, and he had bad tummy aches. He kept thinking about all of the "what-if's." What if he forgets his lines, what if his friends laugh at him. He did not want to let his friends down, but he also did not want to face his fear of speaking in public. Marty knew he had to do something to overcome his anxiety.

Marty went to talk to his wise old friend, Ollie the Owl, who listened patiently to Marty's worries. Ollie suggested that Marty start by practicing his performance alone in the woods, then eventually in front of a small group of friends until he felt more comfortable. After all, gradual exposure is one of the best ways to treat this kind of problem.

Hello Everyone! 

You can do it Marty!  

Great job Marty!

Marty tried the owl's advice and started practicing his speech alone in the woods. He read aloud, sang songs, and recited poetry until he felt more confident. Then he tried practicing in front of a few animal friends until he felt ready to speak in front of a larger group.

The day of the talent show arrived, and Marty was still feeling a little bit nervous. However, he remembered all of the times he had practiced and how far he had come. Marty took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.

"The forest is  covered in

 grass so green, it is a sight that must be seen."

As he stood in front of the crowd, Marty felt his anxiety starting to rise. But he took another deep breath, and to his surprise, the words flowed out of him. Marty recited a beautiful poem that he had written about the forest and all its beauty. The animals cheered and applauded, and Marty felt proud of himself for overcoming his fear and speaking up.

Marty still gets nervous from time to time when they have their annual talent show, but now he knows that with practice and perseverance, he could overcome his selective mutism form of anxiety and feel confident in his own abilities. He also realized that he did not have to let his anxiety prevent him from joining in on the fun. Instead, he could face it head-on and become the best version of himself.

Way to go, Marty!

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU DID IT!

Social Anxiety Disorder or performing in front of others is not the only thing that Marty gets anxious about.  As soon as night falls, and it gets dark outside, Marty's mind begins to play tricks on him. His heart starts to race. Marty can't sleep because he is really afraid that a monster may be hiding in the forest that will jump out from behind a tree. When you are really scared about something, this type of anxiety is called a phobia.

One day, Marty's friends noticed that he seemed upset and worried. They asked him what was wrong, and Marty admitted he was afraid of monsters. His friends wanted to help Marty overcome his phobia. At nightfall, they took Marty on a walk through the forest and pointed out all the beautiful sights and sounds around them. They showed him the forest was filled with friendly creatures like squirrels, rabbits, and birds, and that there was no reason to be afraid.

"There are no such things as monsters."

Marty felt a little better, but he was still afraid that there were monsters in the forest. His friends came up with a plan to help Marty work through his fear and reassure him that there was no need to be afraid...The monsters were only in his head. Marty's friends also reminded him 

that he was strong and brave and that he could face his fears with their support.

As time passed, Marty began to feel less anxious when alone in the forest. His friends helped him find ways to help calm himself down if he ever thought of monsters. One day, while he was alone in the forest, Marty heard a loud noise behind him. His heart started pounding, he began to sweat.  He remembered his plan, closed his eyes and took 3 deep, slow breaths. When he turned around, he saw that the noise was just his friend, Billy the Bear, who had accidentally knocked over a tree branch. He immediately felt relaxed.

"OOPS!  I'm sorry if I scared you, Marty!"

"Breathe in and out."

"I knew I could do it! I now

know the monsters are 

only in my head."