Anxiety animals

Anxiety can manifest in different ways, and for some, it shows up as overwhelming thoughts or behaviors that make everyday tasks feel daunting. The Anxiety Animals tool is a creative and engaging way to help identify and address anxiety. By associating different types of anxious thoughts with specific animals—the Raven, the Wasp, the Bull, and the Scorpion—this tool makes it easier to understand emotions and manage them.

How to use the tool

• Introduce the Animals
  • Share the Anxiety Animals poster and explain the characteristics of each animal.
    • The Raven: Represents fear of future negative events.
    • The Wasp: Symbolizes feeling overwhelmed by multiple problems.
    • The Bull: Highlights a focus on negativity and past mistakes.
    • The Scorpion: Stands for self-critical thoughts and self-doubt.
• Identify Personal Anxiety Triggers
  • Reflect on feelings of anxiety and identify which animal(s) feels most relatable.
  • Use prompts like:
    • “What kinds of thoughts do you have when you’re feeling anxious?”
    • “Which animal’s description sounds like your experience?”
• Practice Coping Strategies
  • Teach the specific strategies associated with each animal
    • The Raven: Focus on the present, challenge negative predictions, and evaluate the likelihood of outcomes.
    • The Wasp: Take things one step at a time, prioritize tasks, and practice grounding techniques.
    • The Bull: Shift focus to positive aspects of the day and cultivate gratitude.
    • The Scorpion: Highlight personal strengths, practice self-compassion, and remind students that challenges are temporary.
  • Encourage role-playing or journaling to help internalize these strategies.
• Create a Personalized Plan
  • Develop an “Anxiety Action Plan” based on their animal. For example:
    • If a person resonates with the Wasp, they might write, “When I feel overwhelmed, I will make a list and solve one problem at a time."

Benefits of using the tool

• Emotional Awareness: Helps us recognize and label their anxiety patterns.
• Problem-Solving: Encourages us to break down overwhelming issues into manageable steps.
• Self-Compassion: Teaches us to counter negative self-talk with positive affirmations.
• Resilience: Builds their ability to face challenges with confidence and composure.