Smart tools to manage big feelings!

Our main characters, Poppy and Frankie, offer practical tips for finding healthy ways to cope with sadness, nervousness, anxiety, and more in The Worry Wags. Explore more helpful strategies on our website!

Breathing Techniques

When Frankie feels nervous or anxious, she takes a deep breath, counting to three as she inhales, holds for a moment, and then slowly exhales for three. Poppy does the same, closing her eyes to imagine a peaceful place as she breathes in. These simple breathing techniques help them both feel calmer and ready to face their worries.

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique

A Worry Wag’s Way to Feel Calm

When Poppy’s worries grow, she uses her five senses to stay in the moment. You can, too!

Follow Poppy’s Steps:

See – Find five things around you.
(A fluffy cloud, a friendly face, a favorite toy.)

Touch – Feel four different textures.
(The soft fur of a pet, the calm surface of a table, the cozy warmth of a sweater.)

Hear – Listen for three sounds.
(The fridge's hum, laughter in the distance, leaves rustling in the wind.)

🐾 Smell – Breathe in 2 scents.
(The smell of fresh soap, a delicious snack, a favorite candle.)

🐾 Taste – Notice 1 flavor.
(A sip of juice, a bite of chocolate, the minty freshness of gum.)

Why This Helps

Brings you back to the present moment.
It makes big worries feel smaller.
It helps your brain and body feel safe.
It can be done anywhere, anytime!

Make It a Habit!

Try it before bed to relax.
Use it in school when feeling nervous.

Do it with a friend or family member for fun!

Poppy knows that worries come and go, but with this trick, you’ll always have a way to feel grounded and safe.

More tips to help the worry wags

Sour Candy: A Sweet Trick for Easing Anxiety

Sounds wild, right? Candy—especially the super sour kind—isn’t usually what comes to mind when you think of calming anxious nerves. But hear us out: sour candy can help kids (and grown-ups) manage anxiety in the moment.

Here’s why it works: when your child feels overwhelmed, their brain is often stuck in a loop of “what ifs” and worry spirals. Giving them a sour candy—something so tangy it makes their face scrunch up—can jolt the brain into focusing on the immediate zing! Of flavor. It’s a fast and simple grounding technique that brings them back to the present.

Therapists and mental health advocates are catching on to this sweet trick, too. Psychology Today shares how sour candy is being used in therapy sessions to disrupt anxious thought patterns and re-engage the senses. (Read more here.)

At The Worry Wags, we believe in creative, accessible ways to care for our big feelings. So toss a couple sour treats in your bag—they just might become your little one’s favorite sidekick in staying calm.

The Color Walk: A Simple Way to Calm Big Feelings

Have you ever noticed how colors can change the way you feel? Bright yellow might make you feel cheerful, while soft green can help you breathe a little easier. That’s the idea behind something we love at The Worry Wags—it’s called The Color Walk.

A Color Walk is a gentle activity you can do with your child when they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It’s simple:

Pick one color
Go for a walk
And look for that color everywhere

Let’s say your color is red. On your walk, you might find red flowers, red stop signs, red shoes, or even a red bird! The goal is to notice the world around you one color at a time.

It might sound small, but this kind of mindful noticing helps quiet racing thoughts. It gives the brain a task that feels safe and focused—what psychologists call a grounding technique. Studies have shown that sensory-based mindfulness (like paying attention to sights, sounds, or colors) can ease anxiety and help kids feel calmer and in control.

The best part? It turns into a mini-adventure. You and your child aren’t just walking—you’re on a color hunt! And that playful energy can make a big difference when emotions feel too big.

So next time you need a break from the worries, pick a color… and walk it out.