As you have learned, anxiety is a normal part of being human. So even though you have made a lot of progress, it is important to remember that anxiety can increase again. In fact, we expect anxiety to go up!
When this happens, you know what to do! Think about the coping skills that have helped and try to make a mission plan.
If you are still feeling really anxious, you should talk to an adult you trust, like a parent, because they can help!
Who did LUNA with you? That would be a great person to talk to about your fears and worries, because they have learned these skills with you! You can also reach out to another adult that you know. Take a moment to think about anyone else that you can talk to about your fears and worries when they come up in the future, and write their names down on this worksheet. Or make your own with what's written below.
Who to Talk to About My Fears and Worries
When your anxiety increases in the future, use the coping skills that you've learned from LUNA, and try to make a new mission plan for this fear or worry. If you are still feeling really anxious, you should talk to an adult you trust, because they can help you! In the box below, write down the names of adults you can talk to about your fears and worries when they come up in the future.
While it is important to celebrate the progress you have made so far, it is also important to figure out where you want to go in the future! The possibilities are endless now that you know how to manage your anxieties and use your coping skills!
Planning for Anxiety in the Future
You have been working so hard to overcome your anxiety! Even if you do feel like you can be brave in any situation, it is still good to plan how you will deal with anxiety in the future.
With your parent’s help, answer the questions on this worksheet to make a plan for continuing to make progress in the future
If you and your parent decide you need to make a new mission plan to tackle these new goals, work with your parent to create another mission plan. Go back to Module 4 and follow the steps just like you did before!
Don’t forget to use the Mission Plan Planning Worksheet, Weekly Practice Plan, and Mission Plan Practice Log when planning your steps.
Congratulations!! You are on your last week of LUNA! You should take a moment to pat yourself on the back. You’ve spent the past several weeks working on some of your greatest fears and worries, and that takes a lot of effort.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what Sally and Neil have worked on during their time in LUNA.
During the program, Sally worked on managing her anxiety with social gatherings. Now that she’s wrapped up her mission plans, she does not feel as anxious when she’s around other kids at school. However, Sally knows that there are going to be times when she is going to have to keep challenging her anxiety. For example, Sally has a big presentation coming up at school and she’s feeling anxious about it. Using the lessons she learned during LUNA, Sally knows exactly how to create a new mission plan that helps her challenge her fear of public speaking.
Neil on the other hand, spent time on mission plans that helped him overcome his fear of the dark. After a lot of practice, he is now able to stay in his room at night by himself. However, Neil got invited to go camping with his friends this summer. They plan on sleeping in tents. Since he will be away from his family AND sleeping outside, Neil feels a little worried. But just like Sally, Neil knows exactly what to do to prepare himself. He creates a mission plan that helps him get used to sleeping outside, and even decides to practice a couple nights a week by sleeping in a tent in his backyard.
Think back to what you accomplished during your time with LUNA. You and your parent worked on a lot of different steps and learned a lot of different tools and skills to use whenever you feel anxious or worried. What did you learn? What are you most proud of?
Just like Sally and Neil, there may be times in the future when you feel anxious about something new or even something similar to what you worked on during LUNA. That is okay- remember, it is normal to feel anxious or afraid sometimes. But no matter what, remember that you can overcome any fear or worry that comes your way! Just remember everything you learned with Sally and Neil, and you’ll be set for success.
