What I learned about my worry brain (from a kid who read wellbeing hacks)

Before I read Wellbeing Hacks, I thought something was wrong with me.Sometimes my worries were loud — asking the same question over and over, crying and fidgeting.Other times they were quiet — I’d go silent and my thoughts would spiral.

I didn’t know both meant the same thing - my brain was trying to protect me.

My brain has an alarm system

Frizz explains this thing called the “ancient brain.”It’s like a tiny alarm that goes off way too fast.

When something feels confusing, scary or unfair, my alarm shouts that something bad might happen, even if nothing dangerous is actually happening.

That’s why my stomach flips, my heart races, and I suddenly can’t think straight.It’s my ancient brain alarm ringing.

Why I can’t think when I’m upset

The book says when the alarm goes off, the thinking brain goes quiet.So telling me to “calm down” never worked — my brain wasn’t ready.

I have to calm my body first.Then my thinking brain comes back.

Once I’m calmer, Frizz teaches me to check my thoughts like a detective.

I ask:

• “Is this a worry or a fact?”

• “Do I have proof?”

Most of the time, the worry is just a story my brain made up to protect me. That makes me feel in control, not scared.

About the book

It doesn’t feel like school.Frizz and Ferguson explain everything with jokes, pictures and stories, so it’s not overwhelming.

I learned so much!

The biggest thing I learned

MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT THE BOSS — I AM.

I still get worried sometimes, but now I know what to do, and I feel braver.

If you’re a kid who worries, get the book.