Lesson Plan
Anxiety Busters Lesson Plan
Students will be able to define anxiety, identify common anxiety symptoms, and practice at least two active coping strategies to manage anxious feelings effectively.
Learning to recognize and manage anxiety is a vital life skill that helps students navigate challenges, reduce stress, and maintain their mental well-being, especially with active and engaging strategies that fit their energy levels.
Audience
7th and 8th Grade Boys (or students who prefer active learning)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and a dynamic, hands-on coping strategy activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, and Anxiety Tamer Activity handouts
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Anxiety Busters Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for displaying key points.
- Print enough copies of the Anxiety Tamer Activity for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction: What is Anxiety?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "When you hear the word 'anxiety,' what comes to mind?" Encourage quick, energetic responses.
- Facilitate a brief discussion, clarifying that anxiety is a normal human emotion, but can sometimes feel overwhelming.
- Introduce the objective of the session: to understand anxiety and learn active ways to cope with it.
- Briefly explain that this is a safe space to share and learn together as a group.
Step 2
Understanding Anxiety: Signs & Feelings
7 minutes
- Ask students to silently reflect on how anxiety might feel in their body (e.g., tense muscles, restless energy) or what thoughts might pop up when they're anxious.
- Guide a short discussion about common physical (e.g., fast heartbeat, sweaty palms, stomachache, fidgeting) and mental (e.g., racing thoughts, worry, difficulty concentrating, irritability) signs of anxiety.
- Emphasize that everyone experiences anxiety differently, and all feelings are valid. Link physical sensations to ways to release that energy.
Step 3
Anxiety Tamer Activity
10 minutes
- Introduce the Anxiety Tamer Activity.
- Explain that this activity will help them explore different active coping strategies.
- Distribute the Anxiety Tamer Activity handouts.
- Guide students through the activity, encouraging them to think about strategies that involve movement or engagement and resonate with them personally. Circulate to offer support and answer questions, encouraging them to share more energetic ideas.
Step 4
Group Share & Discussion
5 minutes
- Bring the group back together.
- Ask volunteers to share one active coping strategy they found interesting or useful from the Anxiety Tamer Activity.
- Facilitate a brief discussion about how these strategies might be used in real-life situations, especially when feeling restless or overwhelmed.
- Reinforce that practicing these strategies regularly can help manage anxiety.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Conclude by reiterating that it's okay to feel anxious, and there are many active tools to help.
- Encourage students to continue exploring and practicing coping strategies, finding what works best for their energy.
- Offer a final thought or positive affirmation regarding their ability to actively manage their worries.
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Slide Deck
Anxiety Busters: Taming Worries
Understanding and actively managing anxious feelings for 7th & 8th Graders.
Today, we'll explore:
- What anxiety is
- How it feels
- Active strategies to tame your worries!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of anxiety. Emphasize that it's a normal feeling and that this is a safe space to discuss active strategies.
What is Anxiety?
It's a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an event or something with an uncertain outcome.
It's a normal human emotion!
But sometimes, it can feel overwhelming.
Ask students to share what comes to mind when they hear 'anxiety'. Encourage quick, energetic responses. Guide the discussion to define anxiety as a natural human emotion, often related to worry or fear about future events.
How Does Anxiety Feel?
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. You might notice:
In Your Body:
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweaty palms
- Upset stomach
- Tense muscles
- Feeling restless or fidgety
In Your Mind:
- Racing thoughts
- Constant worrying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling irritable
- Imagining worst-case scenarios
Discuss common physical and mental symptoms. Ask students if they've ever felt these things. Validate their experiences and link physical sensations to ways they might release that energy.
Taming Your Worries: Strategies
Good news! There are many active ways to manage anxiety.
We're going to explore some together in our Anxiety Tamer Activity.
Think about what works best for YOUR energy!
Introduce the upcoming activity. Explain that it will help them find personal and active strategies. Emphasize that there's no single 'right' way to cope, but that movement can be a powerful tool.
Sharing Our Taming Tools
What active strategies did you find in the Anxiety Tamer Activity?
- Which ones sound most helpful?
- When could you use them, especially when you have extra energy?
- Why is practicing these important?
Facilitate the group share. Ask for volunteers to share active strategies from the activity. Discuss how these can be used, especially when feeling restless or overwhelmed. Reinforce the idea of practice.
You've Got This!
Anxiety is a part of life, but it doesn't have to control you.
- You have active tools to manage your worries.
- Keep practicing your coping strategies.
- You are strong and capable!
What's one active thing you'll try this week to tame a worry?
Reiterate that it's okay to feel anxious and encourage continued practice of coping skills, particularly active ones. End with a positive and empowering message.
Activity
Anxiety Tamer Activity: Your Worry Toolkit
Sometimes our worries can feel big, but there are many things we can do to help ourselves feel calmer. This activity will help you explore different strategies to 'tame' your worries.
Part 1: My Worry Monster
Think about a worry you sometimes have. It doesn't have to be a huge one, just something that makes you feel a little anxious.
- What does your worry feel like in your body? (e.g., tense shoulders, butterflies in stomach, fast heart rate)
- What thoughts often go through your mind when you have this worry? (e.g., "What if I mess up?", "Everyone is looking at me.")
Part 2: Taming Strategies
Below are some categories of coping strategies. For each category, read the examples and then add one of your own ideas for how you could use that type of strategy.
1. Mind & Body Moves (Things you do with your body or breath)
- Deep breathing (smell the flowers, blow out the candles)
- Go for a brisk walk or run
- Do 10 jumping jacks or push-ups
- Stretch or do some dynamic movements
- Dance to your favorite high-energy song
- Squeeze and release your muscles (tense them for 5 seconds, then relax)
My Idea:
2. Thought Shifters (Ways to change what you're thinking)
- Challenge the worry: "Is this really true? What's another way to look at it?"
- Positive self-talk: "I can handle this," "I'm strong."
- Focus on what you can control
- Visualize a calm place (like a sports field or favorite gaming spot)
- Distract yourself with a mental puzzle or problem to solve
My Idea:
3. Connect & Communicate (Reaching out to others)
- Talk to a trusted adult (parent, teacher, coach, counselor)
- Spend time with friends or family (maybe play a team game)
- Ask for help when you need it
- Write down your feelings in a journal or draw what you're feeling
My Idea:
4. Creative Outlets & Distractions (Doing something engaging)
- Listen to upbeat music or a podcast
- Draw, design, or build something (like with LEGOs or art supplies)
- Read an action-packed book or comic
- Play an active game or sport
- Tackle a small, satisfying task (like organizing your backpack or desk)
- Help someone else (like a teammate or family member)
My Idea:
Part 3: My Personal Taming Plan
Look back at all the strategies. Choose two that you think would be most helpful for you when you feel anxious. Write them down and explain when and how you might try to use them.
-
Strategy:
How/When I'll use it:
-
Strategy:
How/When I'll use it: