Weighed down

Think of a task that you can do without a lot of planning, like smiling, wiggling your toes, closing your eyes, or something else.

Now, imagine someone asked you to change how you do it.

For example:

• smile while pushing down on your cheeks
• wiggle your toes while something is on top of them.
• close your eyes while trying to keep them as wide as possible.

Would it still be as easy to do the task? How would that task change?

Feelings

The heavy things represent stronger emotions or feelings.

When we think of feelings, we often think about being happy, sad, angry, confused, and many more.

Sometimes strong feelings make us react or not react in ways we would like to.

Sometimes when we feel angry or upset, we may say things or do things we don’t mean.

• Can you think of any strong feelings you might have?
• When might you experience strong feelings in your day-to-day lives?
• What do you do to help manage these feelings?

Record your thoughts in a notebook or another method of your choice.

Emotions

Many things in our lives can cause strong emotions.

Sometimes changes in our environment such as storms, very hot or very cold weather, or loud noises can also cause strong emotions.

Let’s think of these things as a bunch of big rocks and balloons.

The rocks are heavy and can often cause us stress and “weigh” us down.

The balloons are lighter and “lift” us up.

Even when we try to go about our daily activities, these rocks and balloons can interrupt the way we usually do things. This can cause us to feel many different emotions.

Dealing with these rocks and balloons takes practice. This can be done by identifying the things that cause strong emotions, then finding positive ways to deal with them.

Strategies

Some positive strategies that could help you manage these feelings could be:

• mindful breathing
• going for a walk
• talking about your feelings to a family member or a friend
• walking away
• getting enough sleep
• eating healthy foods

Positive or negative?

What are the things in life that might cause someone to have strong feelings, either positive or negative?

Consider changes like:

• moving houses
• changing schools
• starting a new grade
• joining a new club
• severe weather
• change in routine
• loss of something or someone you love
• a new addition to the family

Strong feelings could be frustration, excitement, worry, nervousness, happiness, surprise, disappointment, and sadness.

How would you feel?

1. Choose two of the following statements.

2. For each chosen statement, consider:

• How might this person feel? Why?
• What strategy might help them? Why?

Press the following tabs to explore each statement.

Complete the How Would You Feel Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

WWhen you are ready, press 'Let’s Check!' to explore a completed How Would You Feel Activity.

Let’s Check!

Strong feelings

We learned different ways on how we can manage strong feelings.

1. Explore the following statements:

• Learner A did not make the dance team they wanted to be on.
• Learner B's friend has moved away.
• Learner C’s older sibling, who helped Learner C get through things, has left home and is living at a school.
• There is a storm in the night in Learner D's community.

2. For each chosen statement, consider:

• How might this person feel? Why?
• What strategy might help them? Why?

Record your thoughts and ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.