As a new school year begins, many staff, students, and families are navigating heightened anxiety and uncertainty in the wake of the recent Minneapolis school shooting. Fear, anxiety, and grief can feel overwhelming in times like these.
Here is one simple mind-body practice you can try in a variety of settings—something to bring a little relief in the moment when anxiety strikes, whether for yourself or to share with others.
Early Education
Stop and Listen
When young children are struggling with big feelings like anxiety, invite them to place their hands gently on their heads. This keeps their bodies busy while encouraging a slow, regulating breath. Use this move as a way to help children self-regulate after drop-off or other transitions. Stop and Listen is settling for the nervous system and helps children slow down their breathing while they listen for what comes next.
Elementary Education
Give Your Brain a Break
When elementary children are anxious, encourage them to try resting one hand on their forehead and the other hand behind their head, or just place both hands on top of their head. Take a few slow breaths with them while explaining that this gives their brain a break from too many thoughts. A short reset like this can help ease anxiety, refocus attention, and help students feel more ready to listen and learn.
Middle & High School
Reset with a Head Hold
Remind students that anxiety is normal, we all feel it, and there are ways we can get relief from overwhelm using the mind-body connection. Ask students to place their hands on their heads like an athlete catching their breath, or to simply rest their forehead in their hand for a short break. This brings circulation back to the brain, slows things down, and helps them feel more present and connected. Acknowledge that everyone needs breaks—and this simple reset can help anytime, anywhere.
Therapeutic Settings
Head Holds
When anxiety surges, the body prepares for flight, fight, or freeze with energy moving away from the brain and into the arms and legs. Placing hands anywhere on the head slows down breathing and can bring circulation back to the brain, signaling safety and slowing the body’s stress response. Invite youth to try this portable coping skill with you, then encourage them to try it next time they feel anxious and report back if it was helpful.
Why It Matters
In times of struggle, the mind-body connection can increase feelings of safety and agency. When we share these practices with students, families, or clients, we not only support them—we also remind ourselves that even in uncertain times, we can take steps toward greater balance and connection.
Would you like a free session for your staff about how to incorporate simple practices to increase feelings of safety during times of stress and distress? Contact us to schedule a brief in-service for all staff or just key team members.