Help Your Child Feel Happier: Controlling Anxiety
Testimonials
“I’ve been working with Peter as my life coach for a while now and he has shown me how powerful our minds are, and that with time and dedication we can control our anxiety. Since he exposed me to this my life has opened up in ways I never expected it to. I’m happy with myself, confident, motivated, self-aware, and above all experiencing significantly less anxiety. This has launched me forward in my life and has created new opportunities that wouldn’t be possible with the crippling anxiety I was experiencing before.”
Katherine, 20 Year Old College Student
“Through working with Peter as my life coach I am learning that I am in control of the way I feel. With Peter’s guidance, I have been able to overcome personal burdens caused by anxiety and have newfound confidence in my relationships, schoolwork, and social situations.”
Kyle, 19 Year Old College Student
Dear Friend,
I’ve read, “Happiness is a choice.”
That sounds so simple.
So why are so many of our children unhappy? Are they simply choosing to be unhappy? That doesn’t make sense.
What’s going on?
I asked a recent audience to raise there hand if they knew a child struggling with anxiety. 90% of them raised their hands.
I ask questions like that during my presentations to let us know, if we and our family are struggling, we are not alone. I find comfort in that. Not that I want others to struggle, but that I am not alone in the struggle. The majority of parents I speak with reveal their children are experiencing anxiety. Some so severe they cannot continue school. Obviously, this makes them feel unhappy.
Why I was compelled to write this post
Over the past 4 years I have witnessed too many children suffering with anxiety and not finding relief with their current therapist or medication. Please understand this- I fully believe in therapy, (my children and I see therapists) and in cases, medical intervention, but when a child is doing both of these things and not finding relief, it makes sense to try something different. Sometimes that includes a new therapist, a new look at medications, and working with a coach to compliment both of those resources.
I say this humbly- I thank God I have been able to help my 2 children and several high school and college aged students get control of their anxiety using what I share in this post.
Why is it so important to control anxiety?
Because when we’re in it’s grips logic does not work. You’ve probably experienced this- When a child, or anyone for that matter, is experiencing anxiety you cannot reason with them. Telling them not to worry about the future, or about death, or vomiting when you eat, or panicking in social situations, or just feeling dread, doesn’t work because they can’t hear it.
They cant hear it because when we experience anxiety the logical part of the brain shuts down. It’s called the fight or flight response. Being in full survival mode, a child cannot here, “You’ll be alright,” or “Try to stop worrying.” None of that works because in their minds and bodies they’re fighting for their life and no amount of logic will help them feel safe. As a parent that can be heartbreaking.
But there is a solution. That’s why I think it’s so important to read below and share 3 ways to help your child (and you) control anxiety, and feel happier.
All my best,
Peter ❤️
3 Ways To Control Anxiety
1. The Vagus Nerve Exercise
This 60 second exercise is the best and fastest way to control anxiety that I have found.
Frank, my therapist, shared it with me in my quest to help my children, and others. It’s the only thing I have found in 4 years of searching that works immediately to get someone out of the grips of anxiety.
Done in minutes, I’ve witnessed it bring a child’s/adult’s brain back on-line and control anxiety when nothing else works.
Help your child find a quiet place, lie down, and start to feel better immediately by sharing this with them.
Try this anxiety exercise for yourself right now.
2. the Right therapist
Not just any therapist. A therapist that goes to the root of the anxiety. And I recommend one with family dysfunction training. I know this from personal experience- One can love their children with all their being, yet still pass on unwanted traits, including anxiety.
If you saw the movie Good Will Hunting, you saw how a good therapist can get to the root or our children’s suffering, then help them heal it. I realize that’s Hollywood, but there’s truth in those scenes.
Set up a time for us to explore how working with a therapist and coach can help your child.
3. Control thoughts
What we think about most, we believe, and experience. Thoughts dictate the quality of our lives.
That’s why I beg my kids not to say things like; I’m dumb, lazy, not good enough, etc.
Ask your child, “What do you think about most?” There answers may surprise you.
Here are actual thoughts from some of my young clients:
“Why is everyone better than me?” “I’ll throw up if I eat.” “I’m obsessed with my parents dying.” “Why am I so awkward.” “I hate my voice.” “Why does everyone know how to be successful except me?” “I don’t deserve to be happy.” “I don’t feel safe.” “No one understands how I feel.” “I’m all alone.”
Heartbreaking, you can see how this can fuel anxiety.
Now, what if we encouraged them to think about what’s good about them, what makes them happy, what they’re good at, then the quality of their thoughts will improve, lessening anxiety.
But first we have to get them out of anxiety (using anxiety exercise above). That’s when conditioning new thinking works best. A compassionate coach can help with this.
You/They don’t have to do it alone
If your child is struggling, have them work with a coach/mentor to compliment the above strategies, and more, to help them them get their lives back and feel happier.
Let‘s Talk
Set a time to talk with me about helping the children in your life with Life Coaching. Totally confidential.
About Peter Kofitsas MS, PT
PROFESSIONAL
Peter Kofitsas MS, PT is a Speaker, Author, International Life & Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist, Physical Therapist, Food/Restaurant Consultant, and former Scholarship Football Athlete. He’s also been called, “The Missing Link” in employee wellbeing. As an expert for the media, he has appeared on ABC, FOX, MSN, TLC, and in Fitness magazine. He’s the author of 3 books, including, Shop, Cook, Eat. He’s also the creator of the 5 Minutes to Fitness+ Program, a revolutionary lifestyle program for achieving optimal health which has been featured on QVC and FOX. He’’s been helping companies assist their employees in being healthier and finding balance during the Covid- 19 pandemic.
CV
Nutrition Degree, Magna Cum Laude, Montclair State University
Physical Therapy degree, Master of Science, New York Medical College
College Lecturer- nutrition, exercise, physical therapy, kinesiology
Creator- 5 Minutes to Fitness+, Fit Friends’ Revolution
Author; Shop, Cook, Eat, Core Energy Program, & Live Better Journal
Food/Restaurant Consultant- Hospitality Training, Sustainable Menu Design, Recipe Development
Client List / Appearances
GE • Goldman Sachs • KPMG • Verizon • Metropolitan Museum of Art • Sony • UPS • Quest Diagnostics • Whole Foods • Louis Vuitton • Moët Hennessy • Working Mother • Kellari Group • Serafina Group • China Grill Management • Union Square Hospitality Group • The Episcopal Church • St Barnabas Health Care Systems • HDMS • Grocery Haulers • NY Staffing Assoc • Assoc of Health Care Recruiters
