Resilience is about your ability to cope with stressful circumstances and/or issues.
Why is resilience so important?
If you’re resilient, you tend to be more hopeful, confident and possess higher self-worth when times get tough. It is easier to overcome challenges and recognise when you may need support, and who best can help you. These are calling coping strategies and they help with your self-growth as well as allowing you to handle difficulties more easily in the future.
According to Principal Youth Court Judge for New Zealand, Judge Andrew Becroft, to build resilience it is helpful if you:
- live in a stable and loving family
- are actively involved in education / training
- build positive ‘pro-social’ friends
- have strong and many connections to community (sports, cultural, youth groups)
- have spiritual needs and values supported.
Kids Help notes a key set of skills you need to be resilient:
- self-esteem.
- social skills.
- self-control.
- problem-solving skills.
- realistic expectations.
- optimistic thinking patterns.
The role of family/whanau
There are many things that your family/whanau and friends can do to help you build and retain resilience.
- Encourage healthy behaviours: making sure you get enough sleep and physical activity, and plenty of healthy food choices.
- Improve self-worth: encourage your independence, your involvement in social situations, and recognise and celebrate your achievements.
Did you know?
Recent research shows that frontal lobe development (what controls your impulses and good judgement) is not completed until your early 20’s.
Several studies have shown, quite dramatically, that the last areas to mature in a human deal with things like logic, judgement and wisdom.
Source: Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, Liggins Institute Auckland, Sunday Star Times 2008.
For more information
- Kids Helpline: advice on resilience
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katikaticollege/3416414234/