What's driving all that worry? Blame the anxiety monsters, says psychotherapist Allison Gervais. These imaginary creatures can bring up various fears depending on what’s on your docket.
“It’s anticipatory anxiety caused by scanning the week ahead,” Gervais explains. All the stressing about your schedule can tie your stomach in knots, making it harder to fall asleep and setting you up for a not-great start to the week. But take heart: You’re not the only one with the preweek worries. Dr. Jamie Howard, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, says it’s not unusual for teens to experience some form of Sunday night scaries.
The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to shoo away the scaries whenever they appear. We’ve got expert-approved coping techniques for the most common fears that fill your mind. Who’s stressed now?
THE ANXIETY MONSTER: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
Whether it’s the night before fall show choir tryouts or your first real internship interview, part of the fear and worry that arises before any big day is due to a combination of being a) unsure of what might happen and b) not fully prepared for any potential outcome. “Sometimes when we feel anxious, it's because we don’t know what to expect,” notes school counselor Morgan Champion.
This story is from the October/November 2021 edition of Girls' Life magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October/November 2021 edition of Girls' Life magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Now loading: Meditation mode
Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
GOING DAYS—OR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKS—WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.
"Ugh! My family is so...
OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.
Dear Carol
CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.
READ THIS before you hard launch
You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.
