Anxiety can be overwhelming, and its effects can go beyond just worrying. It can bring a mix of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that may feel confusing or hard to describe. Despite this, many clients have shared how anxiety feels, which allows others to understand it better and find ways to manage it.
The Anxiety Feels Like poster presents the common ways anxiety is experienced in a relatable and easy-to-understand format. It includes clear descriptions like a racing heartbeat, butterflies in the stomach, and trouble breathing—sensations often experienced by those dealing with anxiety. These experiences are paired with visuals to help clients identify and express what they are going through.
Having this as a reminder can help kids and teens recognize that what they are feeling is real and something many others experience. It can encourage open conversations about anxiety and help them explore coping strategies to ease their discomfort.
A safe space can be created where emotions can be talked about without fear or judgment. Caring adults can also introduce everyday habits—like listening to calming music or using a worry journal—to help them manage anxious thoughts.
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Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of anxiety worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Bhatia, M., & Goyal, A. (2018). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 64(2), 75. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_65_18
- Muir-Cochrane, E., O’Kane, D., & Harrison, K. (2017). The person who experiences anxiety. Psychiatric and mental health nursing, 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315381879-20
- Reynolds, C. R., & Richmond, B. O. (1978). What I think and feel: A revised measure of children's manifest anxiety. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6(2), 271-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00919131
