Resiliency and Coping
PDF
Introduction
Are you a parent or guardian? Does your child find it challenging when summer is over and they have to go back to school? If so, here are some tips that may help your kids (and you) make an easier transition back to school.
While some children adapt easily to the start of a new school year, other kids might have a harder time adjusting. It’s important to remember that every child is different. Some children will respond well to the strategies outlined in this pamphlet, while others might need more intensive support from their primary care provider.
Tips for parents
In May / June before school ends
If your child has an ...
Introduction
Grounding is a type of coping strategy that “grounds” people in the present moment and is a form of mindfulness.
When you become overwhelmed by flashbacks or dissociation, it is as if the brain forgets where you are, and you become transported to past times when you felt unsafe. Grounding strategies help the brain refocus on the present.
There are two main types of grounding strategies:
Sensory, e.g. Using strong sensory input to bring one back to reality and the present moment (e.g. listening to loud music, biting a lemon, holding a piece of ice)Cognitive, e.g. Doing an activity requiring one’s focused ...
Introduction
All parents want to raise happy, healthy children, but in spite of our best efforts, many children and youth struggle with physical and mental health problems in today's world.
The good news is that there is an easy way to help our children’s and teens’ physical, mental and spiritual health...
...Spontaneous, unstructured outdoor play!
Spontaneous, unstructured outdoor play is letting kids be kids outdoors, creating on their own without adult interference. It means letting kids:
Be outdoors with fresh air, sunlight and the sounds of nature.
Use their imaginations to ...
A's Story: “She used to love being outside!”
A. is a 10-year-old girl who used to enjoy playing outdoors with friends but has become increasingly withdrawn in recent years. Her mother is concerned that her daughter appears anxious. A.’s parents’ divorce and her academic struggles have contributed to her anxiety. Instead of socializing, she spends most of her time alone in her room, immersed in digital screens for comfort. Despite her parents’ efforts, A. finds it challenging to break free from her anxiety and engage in other activities.
What advice would you give her mom?
Introduction
Bad news
As parents and caregivers, we all want ...
Samantha’s Story, Part 1
Samantha usually has a good day at work. She’s normally on time, she has a reasonable boss, and her co-workers are pretty easy-going. But recently, she had a very bad day. She was late for work. Her boss was upset. And she had a disagreement with a co-worker.
As a result, a negative, self-critical voice started running in her head: “I'm such a disappointment. Nobody likes me! Why do I even bother? No matter what I do, it’s going to fail.”
Samantha had a rough childhood. She didn’t feel accepted by her parents, and at school, there was a bully who tormented her for ...
Introduction
Everyone wants to be happy, i.e. have mental wellness, the state of well-being where we feel contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure or joy. Throughout history, people have struggled to find the secret to happiness.
What’s the Secret to Being Happy?
Is it having fun all the time, like playing video games and watching movies all day?
As it turns out, living a life of leisure does not lead to happiness…
Happiness (and Mental Wellness) is about Belonging, Purpose, Hope and Meaning
Happiness (and mental wellness) is a positive side effect that happens when you live a life with belonging, purpose, meaning and hope (Health ...
Introduction
Ah, the holidays! They can be a time to celebrate and relax. But holidays can also be difficult and stressful, especially when you feel pressure to have a wonderful, perfect time.
The good news: there are many things you can do to help you and your family members cope with the holidays.
Tips for Surviving the Holidays
Keep up with healthy routines. Holidays can be physically and emotionally demanding. Stick to healthy routines. Try not to overindulge, because it can make you feel even more exhausted and physically unwell.
Get enough sleep. If you don’t ...
Introduction
Therapeutic tapping is a technique that may be helpful in conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression (Church, 2012; Feinstein, 2012; Clond, 2016).
It involves using your fingers to tap on various points on the head and upper body.
Evidence for therapeutic tapping is still growing. There is less evidence for therapeutic tapping compared to other evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or medication.
On the other hand, advantages include: It can be easily learnedYou can do therapeutic tapping on yourself or on a loved one (such as a child or youth); IIt ...
