Warm up questions
What's stress?
Why are people more anxious than ever nowadays?
Conversation
Dialog
Alex: Hey Jamie, you look a bit stressed out. Everything okay?
Jamie: Honestly, Alex, I've been struggling with anxiety lately. It's been really overwhelming.
Alex: I'm sorry to hear that. What usually triggers your anxiety?
Jamie: A lot of things, but mainly work and social situations. I try to avoid them, but it's not always possible.
Alex: I understand. Avoiding triggers can be tough. Have you tried any strategies to cope with it?
Jamie: Yeah, I've been trying a few things. Sometimes I just need to stop and breathe deeply. It helps a bit.
Alex: That's a good start. Deep breathing can really help calm you down. Have you considered therapy?
Jamie: Yes, I started therapy a few weeks ago. My therapist is helping me find ways to manage my anxiety better.
Alex: That's great to hear. Therapy can be really beneficial. Do you feel it's helping?
Jamie: It is. I still have a long way to go, but it's nice to have someone to talk to and get professional advice.
Alex: For sure. And remember, I'm here for you too. If you ever need to talk or need help with anything, just let me know.
Jamie: Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it. I've also been trying to pray more. It helps me feel a bit more grounded.
Alex: That's good. Finding what works for you is important. Just take it one step at a time.
Jamie: Thanks for the support. It really means a lot.
Alex: Anytime, Jamie. We’ll get through this together.
Vocabulary
Anxiety:
- A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It can also refer to a mental health disorder characterized by excessive fear or worry.
Cope:
- To deal effectively with something difficult. It involves managing and attempting to overcome problems and challenges.
Help:
- To make it easier for someone to do something by offering one’s services or resources. It can also mean providing assistance or support.
Breathe:
- To take air into the lungs and then expel it, a process vital for life. In the context of managing anxiety, it often refers to controlled breathing techniques used to calm oneself.
Therapy:
- Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder. In mental health, it refers to counseling or psychotherapy aimed at improving mental well-being.
Trigger:
- Something that causes an event or situation to happen or exist. In the context of anxiety, it refers to a specific stimulus that provokes an anxious response.
Avoid:
- To keep away from or stop oneself from doing something. It often involves staying clear of situations that might cause stress or anxiety.
Overwhelmed:
- Feeling completely overcome or overpowered by thoughts, feelings, or circumstances, often leading to a state of intense emotional or mental stress.
Pray:
- To speak to a deity or in a religious context, often to offer thanks or make a request for help or guidance. It can also be a personal spiritual practice to find peace and grounding.
Grounded:
- In a state of being sensible and realistic; mentally and emotionally stable. It can also refer to a feeling of being connected to the present moment and one's surroundings.
Sample sentences
Anxiety
After the presentation, Sarah's anxiety finally started to subside.
The constant pressure of exams can cause significant anxiety in students.
Cope
John learned new techniques to cope with stress during his therapy sessions.
It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions.
Help
Jane asked her friend for help when she felt overwhelmed by her workload.
Volunteering at the animal shelter can help you feel more connected to your community.
Breathe
When you feel anxious, take a moment to breathe deeply and relax.
It’s amazing how a walk in the park can make it easier to breathe and clear your mind.
Therapy
Emily found that therapy was a crucial part of her journey to better mental health.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often effective for treating anxiety disorders.
Trigger
Loud noises can be a trigger for his anxiety attacks.
She identified that crowded places were a major trigger for her panic attacks.
Avoid
Mark tries to avoid caffeine because it can exacerbate his anxiety.
You can't always avoid stressful situations, but you can control your reaction to them.
Overwhelmed
After receiving the bad news, she felt completely overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
He was overwhelmed by the amount of support he received from his friends and family.
Pray
Whenever she feels lost, she takes a moment to pray for guidance and strength.
Every evening, he would pray, finding comfort and peace in the quiet moments.
Grounded
Practicing mindfulness helps me stay grounded in the present moment.
Despite the chaos around her, she remained grounded and focused on her goals.
Exercises
Initial Role play
anxiety
Cope with
Help
Breathe
Therapy
Trigger
Avoid
Overwhelmed
pray
grounded
Final role play
anxiety
Cope with
Help
Breathe
Therapy
Trigger
Avoid
Overwhelmed
pray
grounded
Personal experience
What do you usually do when you feel sadness?
Have you ever experienced anxiety?
What situations do you prefer to avoid?
Homework
Reading comprehension
What are the main triggers for Jamie's anxiety?
What coping strategy does Jamie mention that helps them manage anxiety?
What type of professional support has Jamie started recently to help with anxiety?
What does Alex offer to do for Jamie to support them through their anxiety?
Apart from therapy, what other practice does Jamie find helpful in dealing with anxiety?