The world feels extra heavy recently. As a parent, you try as hard as you can to keep your kids happy, healthy, and safe. But recently, it feels like every time you turn on the news, there’s another school shooting.

It’s hitting a little too close to home for you. Red and blue lights, caution tape, and tear-soaked faces fill your television screen.

It’s not hard to wonder ‘what if’ or ‘when will this happen a little too close to home?’ Your fear is completely and utterly logical. Here’s how to cope if recent school shootings have you worried about your child’s safety.

Reminder: Your Feelings Are Valid

It’s completely normal to have feelings of worry and fear when you see or deal with something that is negative or traumatic.

If you try to hide how you’re actually feeling or avoid feeling a certain way, it will only make you feel worse. Plus, hiding or avoiding those feelings won’t make your anxiety any better.

One of the best things you can do is to recognize those emotions and allow yourself to feel them.

Focus on Your Mental Health

During difficult times, it’s very easy to push your own mental health aside to focus on other things. This may be easier said than done, but make you and your mental health a priority. Your mental health should be a priority at all times, not just during hard times.

You can improve your mental health by treating your body with care and compassion, as well as giving it the necessary fuel to get through each day.

Aim to eat healthy and balanced meals. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Find a way to get your body moving each day, even if it’s just a walk outside for 3o minutes. And don’t forget to drink your water!

Another way to help your mental health is to cut certain things out of your life. If watching the news is making you feel uneasy, it may be time to set some time limits on your news consumption.

Practice Positive Mantras

It’s extremely easy to fall into a spiral of negativity when the world around you seems to be falling apart.

Try to incorporate a mantra or positive self-talk into your daily routine. You have to find what works best for you, but here are a few mantras you can start with:

• Today, I am choosing to be optimistic.
• I am capable of change.
• I’m grateful for X, Y, and Z.

If mantras aren’t your thing, that’s okay too! Try to write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal instead. This is a great tool to look back on later to help you determine what is triggering your anxiety and what tools helped you cope in the best way.

Channel Your Emotions into Action

If you’re the type of person who feels like their anxiety gets worse when they’re alone and bored, try channeling those emotions into action. Don’t sit around and sulk in those feelings, get up and do something about it!

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Write letters demanding change.
• Donate to school shooting survivors.
• Volunteer.

Seek Professional Help

If your anxiety is starting to have an impact on your day-to-day life, it may be time to reach out to a professional for help.

A licensed and trained therapist can help you work through any thoughts, emotions, or feelings and help you come up with an action plan for finding better ways to cope.

If you’re interested in learning more about therapy for your anxiety, reach out to us today to set up a consultation.