I wish I could have said, "Mommy, I know that what you're saying makes sense. It's just that it's hard to think clearly and logically in this moment. I have a lot of feelings right now and I'm just focusing on those. It's just really hard to think clearly."
Here's what we know: Studies show one by-product of the anxiety response is that the prefrontal cortex — the more logical part of the brain — gets put on hold while the more automated emotional brain takes over. After all, cave people didn't have a lot of time to use logic when it came to running away or fighting a predator.
Try this: Soothe the nervous system with a visualization exercise. Ask your child to envision a still, quiet place. Ask them to breathe in and out in a way that's comfortable and to describe this place to you. Once your child is calm, discuss the idea that feelings are not necessarily facts. Feelings can be challenged by saying, "Hey, I don't think you're really true!" Self-disputation is a great way to quell worry.