Taking Care of Feelings

All emotions are okay.
We can’t control what feelings we have, but we can choose how to take care of our feelings.
One big way to take care of our feelings is to name, express and share them with others to “lighten our load”.

Think about a time during this Stay-At-Home period when you’ve had big or uncomfortable/challenging emotions. What were you feeling? How did you take care of your feelings? Did you try talking to someone?
Who are 2-3 trusted adults you can talk to about your feelings?

Who can I talk to about my feelings?
What are some ways I can tell these people how I’m feeling while we’re staying at home?
What am I feeling today?

Make a list of all the people you could talk to about your feelings (e.g. mom, dad, grandparent, friend).
Go back through the list and write or draw all the ways you can think of to talk to them while we’re all staying at home.For example, maybe you can talk to mom or dad face-to-face, call or text a friend, send an email to your teacher, or share with your whole class during a zoom meeting.
Pick one person from your list and tell them how you’re feeling today.

For example, you might tell them, “I’m feeling (name some words to describe the feeling) because (describe what’s happening that’s helping to contribute to that feeling.”

I’m feeling worried and sad because my grandma is sick. I’m also feeling happy because I had fun during my morning zoom session with my class.
If that person is busy or doesn’t answer the phone/text/email, pick someone else from your list and try again! Notice, does your load feel lighter after you talked to someone about what you are feeling?

I made a list of people I can talk to about my feelings.

I added all the different ways I can talk to those people to my list.

I tried talking to someone about what I’m feeling today.