Tips to be more resilient
What you can do:
1. To help yourself to be more resilient
- Positive self–talk. That means: tell that voice in your head to think about all the good things around you and all the good things that you can do
- Set realistic goals, take small steps and build on success
- Make good choices
- Be a positive person. Compliment others and they will compliment you
- Make friends and work at being a good friend
- Join in – hang out with positive people, eg scouts, guides, youth groups and environment groups, sports players and friends who build you up rather than let you down
- Say “I can’t do this ……..yet!” then try to learn a bit more each day
- Exercise, play sport, learn skills, be active
- Accept that you will make mistakes – say sorry to yourself as well as to others – then try to put things right and have another go
- Get involved in pleasant things like art, music, drama
- Give yourself time to think
- Have a go at new things, if they are safe of course
2. If your friend is having a hard time
- Keep asking your friend to do things with you
- Ask your friend to do active things too. Most people feel stronger (and more resilient) if they are fit and active
- Encourage your friend to try
- Be a good friend and listener
- Keep her secrets, unless they are unsafe secrets; if they might be unsafe then tell your trusted adult
- Tell the teacher if your friend is being bullied
- Say positive things if your friend is feeling sad
- Encourage your friend to get help
- Don’t get upset if your friend wants to be alone. Tell her that you will be there for her if she wants to play or talk
Source: Kids Health – Dr Kate Says.