SID
Have you ever felt like you just wanted to curl up and cry, like SID? It’s completely normal to feel nervous or shy in social situations, but we can tap into powerful tools that help us to feel less afraid and more open to new experiences and connections.
If you or your child often feel sad, Bend and our friend SID are here to empower you to feel your best.
%201.png)
Ready to get more tips and tools from SID and the other Bend Buddies™?
Drop in your email address to unlock full access to Bend’s exclusive resources!
If you just want to be by yourself in your sad feelings, SID completely understands! When you're in a sad mood, it can seem like it will never end. But most of the time, sad feelings actually pass quite quickly, especially when you have the tools to see you through.
That's why we’ve teamed up with SID to help you better understand your emotions so that you can feel less alone and more comfortable with sadness anytime it comes up.
Someone can feel sad for a bunch of different reasons. They might feel:
- Irritability or change in mood
- Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Aches or pains, like stomach aches or headaches
- Decreased energy
Sometimes we all feel sad! And here at Bend Health, we know it's not always easy to process feeling down.
We’ve customized our evidence-based tips based on what makes the most sense for you!
If you just want to be by yourself in your sad feelings, SID completely understands! When you're in a sad mood, it can seem like it will never end. But most of the time, sad feelings actually pass quite quickly, especially when you have the tools to see you through.
That's why we’ve teamed up with SID to help you better understand your emotions so that you can feel less alone and more comfortable with sadness anytime it comes up.
Someone can feel sad for a bunch of different reasons. They might feel:
- Irritability or change in mood
- Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Aches or pains, like stomach aches or headaches
- Decreased energy
Sometimes we all feel sad! And here at Bend Health, we know it's not always easy to process feeling down.
We’ve customized our evidence-based tips based on what makes the most sense for you!
How can we help?
We all get moody, grouchy, or sad sometimes and that’s why it can be so powerful to learn how to process sadness by better connecting with others and yourself. We’re here to help you navigate sadness, understand that you’re not alone, and become more comfortable processing difficult emotions.
So the next time you start to feel sad like SID, we’ve got some tools that you can turn to.
Here are SID’s tips to help:
How to have a healthier relationship with social media
Social media can be a great way to connect with others, but looking at everyone else's perfectly curated moments can also have a negative impact on how we feel. Consider deleting apps from your phone, curating a feed that brings more joy, or setting time limits on your apps.
Set small, realistic goals
Avoiding the situations that make us anxious can actually make us feel worse. To break the cycle of avoidance, try setting achievable goals for yourself. Taking small steps towards connection can make a big difference in overcoming social anxiety.
Challenge negative self-talk
There is so much power in the words that we tell ourselves, so begin to notice what your inner voice is saying and challenge any negative self-talk. Watch for words like “never” or “always” and try reframing them to more accurate, helpful statements.
Try breathing techniques
By taking slow, deep breaths, we can send signals to our body that we are not in danger. Try practicing box breathing — Imagine a box has four sides. Think about breathing in for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 4 seconds, letting out your breath for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, and then repeat 4 times.
We all get moody, grouchy, or sad sometimes and that’s why it can be so powerful to learn how to process sadness by better connecting with others and yourself. We’re here to help your child learn to navigate sadness, understand they’re not alone, and become more comfortable processing difficult emotions.
Here are SID’s tips to help:
Get creative
Coloring can be a great activity to reduce stress. Show off your artistic skills and share a photo to social media tagging @hellobendhealth so we can see your creations.
Try role-playing
Creating a dialogue and acting out new, frightening situations can help your child to feel less overwhelmed and more prepared when it comes time for the real thing. Let them know that you understand what they are going through and that you are there to support them.
Learn to label emotions
Talk to your child about what happens when they are in a new situation. What thoughts come up? What emotions, like fear, go along with those thoughts and feelings? By learning to notice what is happening in their bodies and minds, children can better identify and cope with difficult emotions.
Create a Calming Corner in your home
Find a calm, quiet spot in your home where your child can go to regulate when they feel overwhelmed. It can include comfort items like books, stuffies, twinkle lights, or anything else they choose.
Practice deep breathing together
Simple breath work is a clinically-proven way to relax the body and mind, decrease heart rate, and lower stress levels. You can show your child how to put their hand on their belly and chest and to take deep breaths in through the nose, hold, and then out slowly through their mouth.
Try a relaxation exercise
Simple breath work is a clinically-proven way to relax the body and mind, decrease heart rate, and lower stress levels. Show your child how to put their hand on their belly and chest and to take deep breaths in through the nose, hold, and then out slowly through their mouth.
There is nothing wrong with being quiet or reserved, but social anxiety can cause children to worry about being judged by other people and can leave them feeling misunderstood or isolated. If social anxiety begins to interfere with your child’s everyday activities, consider reaching out to the team at Bend for support.