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On feeling anxious

A: I'm so worried about being found out.
H: I know, have you got any snacks?
A: No, too anxious to eat, my tummy hurts.
H: Oh. What about choccy, you got any choccy?

Dear H & A,

A, it's horrible isn't it, that knotted tummy feeling with that sensation of being flushed. Remember, often the thing we're worried about isn't as bad as you think. Your mind isn't always that charitable to your body, I'm afraid.

But here's a little technique you might want to use next time you get to feeling this way.

Here you go:

Breathe in for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Breathe out for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.

Imagine with each step you're drawing a line until you create a box. That's why they call it box breathing.

Repeat this for a couple of minutes until you feel calmer, little one.

Box those nerves away.

Yours regardless