From a teen:
Hey there! Today I want to talk to you about an amazing book that I just finished reading, “Brave: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry” by Kari Kampakis. This book is all about how to overcome anxiety and live a life full of courage and confidence, and I think every teen girl could benefit from reading it!
One thing that really stood out to me about this book is the way Kari Kampakis writes. She has a warm and friendly voice that feels like she’s talking directly to you, like a big sister or a close friend. She’s really relatable and understanding, and it’s easy to see that she cares deeply about helping girls overcome their worries and fears.
In “Brave,” Kari shares a lot of personal stories and experiences, which I found really helpful. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my struggles with anxiety, and that there are other people out there who have gone through similar things. She also includes a lot of quotes and references from other people who have dealt with anxiety, which I found really inspiring.
One of my favorite quotes in the book is from Ellen DeGeneres, who says, “I learned compassion from being discriminated against. Everything bad that’s ever happened to me has taught me compassion.” Kari uses this quote to show how our struggles can actually make us stronger and more empathetic. She encourages readers to “embrace your worries and your struggles, and use them as a catalyst for growth and learning.”
Another thing I really appreciated about “Brave” is the way Kari breaks down anxiety and explains it in simple terms. She talks about the physical symptoms of anxiety, like a racing heart or sweaty palms, and explains how these symptoms are actually our body’s way of protecting us. She also talks about the different types of anxiety, like social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder, and provides strategies for dealing with each one.
One strategy that Kari emphasizes throughout the book is the importance of self-care. She talks about how taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, is essential for overcoming anxiety. She encourages readers to find activities that they enjoy and that help them relax, like reading, writing, or taking a bath. She also stresses the importance of getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
One chapter of the book that I found especially helpful is titled “When Worry Gets in the Way of Life.” In this chapter, Kari talks about how anxiety can sometimes prevent us from doing things we really want to do, like trying out for a sports team or going to a social event. She provides practical tips for overcoming these fears, like breaking down the task into smaller steps or finding a friend to support you.
One of my favorite tips from this chapter is to “rewrite the story.” Kari encourages readers to think about what they would say to a friend who was feeling anxious or worried, and then apply that same advice to themselves. She also suggests writing down the worst-case scenario, and then coming up with a plan for how to deal with it if it does happen. These are both really practical strategies that I’ve already started using in my own life.
Overall, “Brave” is a really inspiring and helpful book for teen girls who are dealing with anxiety. Kari Kampakis is a wonderful writer who really understands what it’s like to struggle with worry and fear. She provides practical advice and strategies for overcoming anxiety, as well as a lot of encouragement and support. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to live a more courageous and confident life!
From a parent:
Hello there, parents! I want to talk to you today about a book that I recently read and found to be incredibly helpful and informative for teen girls struggling with anxiety. The book is called “Brave: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry” by Kari Kampakis.
As a parent, it’s natural to worry about our children, especially when it comes to their mental health. The teenage years can be a particularly challenging time, as girls face a lot of pressure and stress. But “Brave” provides practical strategies and guidance to help girls overcome their worries and fears and live a more confident and courageous life.
One of the things that I really appreciated about “Brave” is the way Kari Kampakis writes. She has a warm and friendly voice that is easy to connect with, and she shares a lot of personal stories and experiences that make the book relatable and engaging. She also includes a lot of quotes and references from other people who have dealt with anxiety, which I found to be really inspiring.
One quote that stood out to me is from author Brene Brown, who says, “The only thing that makes the struggle with anxiety worse is the shame that comes with it.” Kari uses this quote to emphasize the importance of being open and honest about our struggles with anxiety, and not feeling ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help.
Another thing that I really appreciated about “Brave” is the way Kari breaks down anxiety and explains it in simple terms. She talks about the physical symptoms of anxiety, like a racing heart or sweaty palms, and explains how these symptoms are actually our body’s way of protecting us. She also talks about the different types of anxiety, like social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder, and provides strategies for dealing with each one.
Throughout the book, Kari emphasizes the importance of self-care. She talks about how taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, is essential for overcoming anxiety. She encourages readers to find activities that they enjoy and that help them relax, like reading, writing, or taking a bath. She also stresses the importance of getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
One of the most helpful chapters of the book, in my opinion, is titled “When Worry Gets in the Way of Life.” In this chapter, Kari talks about how anxiety can sometimes prevent us from doing things we really want to do, like trying out for a sports team or going to a social event. She provides practical tips for overcoming these fears, like breaking down the task into smaller steps or finding a friend to support you.
Kari also emphasizes the importance of facing our fears and not letting them control us. She writes, “The more we face our fears, the stronger we become.” She encourages readers to take small steps towards their goals, and to celebrate their successes, no matter how small.
One of my favorite tips from the book is to “rewrite the story.” Kari encourages readers to think about what they would say to a friend who was feeling anxious or worried, and then apply that same advice to themselves. She also suggests writing down the worst-case scenario, and then coming up with a plan for how to deal with it if it does happen. These are both really practical strategies that can be used in daily life.
Overall, “Brave” is a wonderful resource for parents who are concerned about their daughters’ mental health. It provides practical strategies and guidance for dealing with anxiety, and encourages girls to take care of themselves and face their fears. I would highly recommend this book to any parent who wants to help their daughter live a more confident and courageous life.
More quotes:
“Brave: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry” by Kari Kampakis:
“Every great accomplishment begins with a small step.” – Kari Kampakis
This quote is a reminder that taking small steps towards our goals can be incredibly powerful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the big picture, but by breaking things down into smaller, more manageable steps, we can make progress and build momentum.
“Anxiety is like a wave. You can’t stop it from coming, but you can decide which ones to surf.” – Unknown
This quote is a great analogy for anxiety – it’s something that we can’t necessarily control, but we can choose how we respond to it. Instead of letting anxiety control us, we can learn to ride the wave and find ways to manage it.
“Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
This quote is a classic, but it’s still so relevant when it comes to anxiety. We often hold ourselves back because we’re afraid of failure or rejection, but taking risks and putting ourselves out there is an essential part of living a full life.
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote is a reminder that facing our fears is essential for building confidence and resilience. It’s not always easy to confront our fears, but by doing so, we can become stronger and more capable of handling whatever life throws our way.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.'” – Mary Anne Radmacher
This quote is a beautiful reminder that courage doesn’t always look like bold, flashy acts. Sometimes it’s simply the decision to keep going, even when things are tough. It’s about being persistent and resilient, even in the face of setbacks or challenges.
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