Building Resilience

Resilience is what allows people to adapt to adversity, trauma, tragedy and stress. Studies show that having caring and supportive relationships both within and outside of your family is the primary component in the ability to be resilient. Additional factors associated with resilience are the capacity to make and execute realistic plans, having a positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities, possessing communication and problem solving skills, and being able to manage strong feelings and impulses. Resilience skills, including behaviors, thoughts and actions, also can be learned. Ten ways to build resilience include:

1. Talk to your friends and parents. Do not be afraid to express your opinion, even to your parents. Ask questions and really listen to their answers.
2. Cut yourself some slack. You are dealing with daily stresses, hormones and physical changes. Accept your emotions and be kind to yourself and your friends.
3. Make your room or another space a Hassle-Free Zone, free from stress and anxiety.
4. Establish a routine and stick with it, whether it is the things you do before school in the morning or a nightly text or call to a friend.
5. Take control and move toward your goals one step at a time.
6. Express your emotions by starting a journal or creating art, etc.
7. Take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually.
8. Help someone else, volunteer at school or in your community, pitch in around the house or help a friend with his or her homework. It will take your mind off of your own problems.
9. Put things in perspective. Remember a time when you faced your fears, use relaxation techniques and think about the important things that have stayed the same even while the rest of the world has changed.
10. Turn it off. Limit the time you spend listening to the news and/or on the Internet and social media.