Fostering Resilience in Children (Pt.2)
Helping others is a great way to beat stress
Last week we began a discussion about the resilience in children – their ability to bounce back after challenging situations. At Deschutes Children’s Foundation, we are very fortunate to have resident programs on our four community campuses that work with children to teach them skills and provide them with support to persevere through life’s struggles.
Here are five more tips to employ when you are working with youth who need a little extra help handling the stresses of life.
Continued from last week:
- Take Control – During stressful times it is common to simply feel out of control. Get some of that control back by taking decisive action.
- Express Yourself – Talk to somebody – a parent or a friend – and if talking doesn’t work do something else to capture your emotions like journaling or creating art
- Help Somebody – Try volunteering in the community, cleaning-up around the house or helping a friend with his or her homework.
- Put Things in Perspective – Think about other times when you got through tough situations or faced up to your fears. Learn relaxation techniques. Think about the good things around you that have remained consistent. And remember, when you talk about bad times, make sure you talk about the good times too.
- Turn it Off – During times of stress, the news can contribute to your stressful feelings. It is important to stay informed, but sometimes no news is good news.
When employing resilience skills, some people may find they use a different mix of strategies. This is why it is important to learn a multitude of approached to handle the challenging times.
For additional conversations about resilience, check out this posting from the Women and Children’s Health Network.