Resilience

What is Resilience?

Source:  reachout.com and Beyond Blue

Being stressed can sometimes make our brain shut down and makes it hard for us to think straight.  It also makes it difficult to problem solve when things get to be a bit too much.  this is why resilience is so important.  But what exactly is resilience?

• Resilience is the ability to bounce back when things go wrong and move forward. It is a very important skill for coping with tricky stuff and one of the key ingredients to success. 

• Resilience is responding confidently to challenges.

• Resilient people are comfortable in talking about and expressing a range of emotions.

• Being resilient is not about keeping things inside, but expressing how you feel and moving forward

• Resilience is controlling your emotions so that you are able to push forward with a plan of action.

When Do I Need to Show Resilience?

There are lots of times when you may need to show resilience.  There are probably too many to mention here, but they can include;

• A sudden change in your situation - like learning from home

• A physical illness - for yourself or someone that you love

• A change in school

• Moving from primary school to high school

• Changes in your family - like a divorce or break up 

• Change of friendship group

• Fighting with our friends

• Fighting with our family.

How Can You Start Being More Resilient?

• It's OK to ask for help - Talk to someone - if you are feeling worried, or not sure how to problem solve a situation talk to an adult and ask for help

• Take time for yourself if you are feeling upset, angry or confused - start a diary, go for a walk

• Challenge Yourself - do something new and don't stress if you aren't successful the first time.  Practice makes perfect!

• Surround yourself with good friends - having strong relationships with people makes it easier to talk about feelings and gives you someone to trust and talk to when things are going wrong.

• Have a strong routine when you are home - follow the timetable that your teacher has given you as best you can and try and wake up at the same time everyday.  Brush your hair, brush your teeth and make your bed every morning.  Do the same things before you go bed at night.

• Practice mindfulness - do a meditation, practice good breathing, listen to calming music.

• Get plenty of Exercise - Go for a walk, run around the backyard or do some push ups on your balcony

• Be grateful - focus on what you have, rather than what you don't have.  focus on what you can do, rather than what you can't do.  Try and be positive.

• Ask an adult to help you face a fear - For example, if you are scared of spiders you might go outside with an adult and look closely at spider webs.

• Have a growth mindset - the word 'yet' is very powerful.  It is ok to make mistakes, it is ok if you don't understand something straight away, but keep going - you will get there, and if you don't that is ok too - at least you tried your best!