Staying calm: anxiety, news and children

What you feel is normal

Worry about your own safety and the people you love is a normal reaction. So are sadness, anger and trouble sleeping. Children, older people and people far from home often feel it most.

Limit the news

Seeing the same frightening images again and again makes fear and anxiety worse, and young children may think the event is happening again each time they see it.

• Check the news once or twice a day at set times, not all day. This site’s dashboard is built for a quick daily check.
• Turn off breaking-news notifications that are not official alerts.
• If children see the news, watch with them and talk about it.

Look after yourself

• Talk about how you feel with someone you trust.
• Keep your daily routine: meals, sleep, work, school, exercise.
• Rest, eat well and move your body.
• Do not blame yourself for what you cannot control.
• When you feel ready, do one practical thing: check your water, update your plan. Taking action helps.

Helping children

• Hug them and answer questions simply and honestly, at their level.
• Let them share feelings. Younger children may draw or play it out.
• Keep routines for school, meals, play and bedtime, and spend extra time together.
• Give them a small helpful job, like packing their own comfort item for the go-bag.
• Expect different reactions by age: young children may act younger, school-age children may ask lots of detailed questions, teenagers may pull away.
• Common fears are that it will happen again, that someone they love will be hurt, or being separated from you. Reassure them about each.

When to get help

Get support if stress lasts, gets worse, or stops you or your child from coping with daily life. Talk to a doctor, a counsellor or a faith leader. In the US, the Disaster Distress Helpline is available via samhsa.gov; in other countries, ask your doctor or local health service.