5 strategies for coping during difficult times.
I believe there are 5 strategies we can employ to support children who may be encountering difficult times.
Happiness is a state of being which results from a number of factors. Physical, social and emotional states can all play a part on our overall happiness. Each day we see references to the promotion of happiness through gratitude journals, lifestyle choices, relationships, positive communication and our environment. It is seen that students are requiring more support to acquire the skills necessary to bring about happiness, but is this the best focus for social and emotional development?
Happiness is considered a feeling of ongoing joy, but there are times of sadness and upset, disappointment and sorrow which accompany our lives often. There is no ideal world, where people don’t experience sadness, unhappiness or discomfort. Many would say that our ability to experience these emotions, makes us human. With that being recognised, would we be better equipping children with a resilient mindset, a sense of hope and emotional awareness to cope with life rather than the need to be consistently happy?
Is it more important to embrace and endure life in it’s fullest, particularly during times of distress and unhappiness, rather than ignoring and retreating, reacting and denying when times are challenging?
How can you support children before and during difficult times?
1. Engage in conversations about how to cope when things don’t go to plan
2. Encourage children to recognise and express how they are feeling
3. Practice and test out new coping skills, in advance
4. Recognise when unhealthy thoughts appear to rationalise their existence
5. Role model emotional responses so children can see how you cope when challenges arise
It is important to support students during times of grief and sorrow allowing for an understanding of life in it’s true sense. Often adults try to shelter children for knowing or feeling sad emotions. There is a belief that they need to be protected, but during difficult times, children can be the most resilient of us all. Life does bring about it’s challenges and with the correct tools and strategies children can adapt to many situations with resilience and hope.
References:
Contextual Wellbeing - Creating Positive Schools from the Inside Out. by Dr Helen Street
Bron Gowty is an end of life guide, kinesiologist and pastoral & spiritual carer.