Download PPT’s first ever original song!
“How Do You Feel” was written and sung by our counseling and music therapy team!
Written by: Christina Confroy, LMFT (PPT School Counselor) and her son Ben, age 5
Vocals: Lydia Billings, MT-MB (PPT Music Therapist)
Guitar and Production: Brandon Billings
Traveling alongside youth while they navigate big emotions can sometimes feel
daunting! You’re tasked with regulating your own system as you respond to them, and it
can be especially challenging when big emotions are in the driver seat. One thing is
certain…it’s a process.
Think of it as driver’s education for the heart. In the same essential way we locate the important pedals and buttons on an interior of a car, we also familiarize ourselves with our internal state. It can be overwhelming at first, but time and practice lead to increased awareness, comfort, and understanding until eventually, the time we put in on smoother roads becomes a reservoir of experience to pull from when conditions are less than favorable.
Songs can serve as a playful and memorable way to rehearse information and practice skills…so think of this one as a map through winding roads for you and your child! You’ll drive through emotional recognition, empowered choice, communication and even take the scenic route of mindfulness. Once you listen through, consider these questions or start a family conversation around them to gain some perspective:
Listen to the song “How Do You Feel” here!
- System check. How full is your tank? What does it look like as an individual and a
family when you’re running on empty vs completely filled up? What are two important
things that help get you from empty to full? - Defensive driving. You’re not the only one on the road! When others do something you don’t like, how can you refocus on your response to the person or situation? Ask yourself: Is my reaction getting me more of what I need/want right now?
- Signs and signals. What is a feeling you want to take better care of? What are thoughts that let you know this feeling is on the rise? What can you do now that help you prepare for when you feel that way again?
- Roadside assistance. How do you know when you need to take a break and ask for help? What can you do to care for yourself before additional support arrives (if that’s what you need)? What are the people around you doing when their support is “working?”
- Take the scenic route. It may take more time, but the scenic route forces us to slow down. There’s no shortcut through feelings, so attending to what’s in front of us is often far more important than a speedy arrival at our destination. If you could travel to a place in your head that brought you more peace and comfort, where would you go? Use your imagination to tune into what each of your senses notices in this place and access that image to usher in more feelings of calm.
- Detours and road closures. Accepting our feelings and allowing them to be there is an important stepping stone to getting where we need to go. If we fixate on elements we can’t control, it makes us feel even more hopeless. The experience of taking the scenic road or rerouting completely can be helped along by our acceptance.
Download the song “How Do You Feel” here to keep it with you when you need it most!
Activity Suggestions to further understand big emotions :
- Stoplight Exercise. Print and color! Discuss and label behaviors and emotions that
signal the need to stop, slow down, or keep going! - Safe Place Visualization. Consider a place you feel comfortable and content and
complete a guided exercise with a script or video to help fill out the scene. - Make a list of coping skills that have worked or that you’re willing to try.
- Revisit challenging moments at a neutral time. Encourage conversations about what
could be helpful in the future when that feeling rises up again. - Replace parts of the song with a feeling or coping skills more relevant to you.