Calm Minds: Managing Anxiety

Elizabeth Diaz

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Calm Minds: Managing Anxiety

Understand and manage anxiety

This lesson focuses on understanding and managing anxiety through cognitive-behavioral techniques and relaxation exercises. Students will learn practical strategies to cope with anxious feelings, which is crucial for their mental well-being and academic success. By equipping students with these skills, they can better handle stress and anxiety in their daily lives.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

90 mins

Approach

Understand and manage anxiety

Materials

Discussion Guide, Worksheet on Anxiety Management, Quiz on Anxiety Strategies, Pens and Paper, and Relaxation Music (optional)

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what anxiety is and how it can affect daily life.
Ask students to share any experiences they feel comfortable discussing.
Explain the importance of managing anxiety for mental health.

Step 2

Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques

20 mins

Introduce cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage anxiety.
Discuss how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors.
Provide examples of negative thought patterns and how to reframe them.

Step 3

Relaxation Exercises

20 mins

Guide students through a series of relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery.
Encourage students to note how they feel before and after the exercises.

Step 4

Group Activity

20 mins

Divide students into small groups and provide them with scenarios involving anxiety.
Ask each group to discuss and apply cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage the anxiety in their scenario.
Have groups share their strategies with the class.

Step 5

Reflection and Discussion

10 mins

Lead a class discussion on what strategies students found most helpful.
Encourage students to reflect on how they can apply these strategies in their own lives.

Step 6

Closure and Quiz

10 mins

Summarize key points from the lesson.
Distribute the quiz to assess understanding of anxiety management strategies.
Collect quizzes and provide feedback.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Discussion

Discussion Guide on Anxiety

This guide will help facilitate a discussion on anxiety, its effects, and management strategies.

What is anxiety and how does it affect you?

Encourage students to share personal experiences and feelings about anxiety.

Why is it important to manage anxiety?

Discuss the impact of unmanaged anxiety on mental health and daily functioning.

What are some common signs of anxiety?

List physical, emotional, and behavioral signs of anxiety.

Worksheet

Worksheet on Anxiety Management

This worksheet will help students identify anxiety triggers and apply cognitive-behavioral techniques.

List three situations that make you feel anxious.

Think about recent experiences or common scenarios.

Describe a negative thought pattern you have experienced.

Consider how this thought affects your feelings and actions.

Reframe the negative thought into a positive one.

Use cognitive-behavioral techniques discussed in class.

Quiz

Quiz on Anxiety Strategies