Positive Ways of Coping

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What do we need to cope with?

School work Conflict at home Making friends and keeping

friends Bullying Loss or change in family life

(eg. separation, divorce, death)

Racism Body image Identity issues Relationships with same or

opposite gender Decisions about future

study/work Parents’ financial pressures Illness

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Difficult feelings

SadnessAngerWorryFrustrationRejectionDisappointmentGuiltGriefRegret

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Solve problems

Stay calmThink it throughBrainstorm ideasTry to do it by

yourself but get help if you get stuck

Don’t put your stress onto others (friends or family)

***

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Identify and then use your strengths

Find your top 5 strengths

Share them with a partner

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Get Organised

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Get 9 hours sleep a night

Sleep improves our mental focus Planning Problem solving Learning Concentration Memory Alertness IQ scores

Emotions eg. more enjoyment of activities and social interactions

Better physical health You’ll live longer

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Eat Well and Exercise

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Look on the Bright Side

How you think affects how you feel.

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Positive Self-Talk

When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

If you can’t change a situation, change the way you think about it.***

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Get help when you need it

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Talk about your thoughts and feelings

FriendsMum/StepMumDad/StepDadBrotherSisterAuntUncleCousinSport CoachMusic/Drama TeacherChurch LeaderTeacherCounsellor /PsychologistOr . . . . . .

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You could call Kids Help Line

Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

1800 55 1800

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Buy a journalWrite/draw whatever

you wantTry to finish on a

positive noteWrite a letter (you

might never send)Write a letter of

forgiveness

Get Creative with Paper

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Get Creative with Music

Make a new playlist of songs that make you feel happy, positive, confident.

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Laugh

EnergisesReduces tensionHelps heal anxietyHopeful, light-

heartednessHelps to gain

perspective on an bad situation

Laughing results in beneficial physiological changes in our bodies that improve health and immunity

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Pleasant Events

I’ve thought of 115! See the handout

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Know that you are braver than you think you are

Courage is not the absence of fear or distress

Courage is the capacity to face threatening or difficult situations that cause fear or distress, without giving in to those feelings.

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

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Relax

20 minutes of meditation can yield the same brain recovery as 2 hours sleep

Smiling Mind is modern meditation for young people. It is a unique web and App-based program, designed to help bring balance to young lives.

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Apps Websites

IcopeIcounsellorBody BeautifulSmiling mindMnfSuper better

www.reachout.com.au

www.kidshelp.com.au

www.youthbeyondblue.com

Use apps or websites to get help

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