A Teenage Guide to Resilience

A teenage guide to resilience is something I am aware has been needed for a good while. The mental health crisis in the UK is only growing and recent statistics prove a huge worry.

A recent report on mental wellness from NHS England discovered that 20.3% of eight to 16-year-olds struggled with their mental health and that this percentage continues to rise throughout the teen years.

What is teen resilience

Teen resilience is the ability of adolescents to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of challenges, adversity, or stress. It reflects their capacity to navigate difficult situations while maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Resilience helps teens develop problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and emotional regulation, enabling them to handle setbacks and grow stronger from their experiences.

Teenage Troubles

We know the teen years bring a multitude of challenges, first romantic relationships, exam pressures, body changes, to name but a few all the while hormones are racing and the emotional brain is developing far faster than the logical brain. Teens have it all to contend with!

What they need more than ever are coping strategies BUT a key feature of the teen years is a move to independence and so teens often reject the guidance a parent or career may try to give them. My advice would be give them my book on it!

Be Resilient Be You – the teenage guide to resilience

Be Resilient Be You is my brand new book, published by Harper Collins and is in a nutshell a teenage guide to resilience. It contains 40 topics pertaining to teens and the challenges they face and is filled with inspirational quotes, evidence backed guidance and actionable tips. It is accessible, colourful, simply written and powerful . It’s intention is to help teens build the coping stratergies they need in terms of having a resilient body, thoughts, actions and relationships.

A Teenage Guide to Resilience

You can buy Be Resilient Be You here and give it to your teen with hope they will dip in and out when they need too ( or read it cover to cover ) and take on board some of the coping strategies included to stop their lives being so overwhelming and to help them feel more in control

Buy Here

What can parents do to help build teen resilience?

There is a LOT you can do as a parent to guide your teen to be more resilient and it doesn’t have to be verbal advice. Take a look at some of the suggestions below to see what might work in your family.

1. Foster Strong Relationships

Family Bonding: Spend quality time together, showing unconditional love and support.
Encourage Friendships: Promote positive peer relationships that provide emotional support and shared experiences.
Mentors: Help teens connect with trusted adults, such as teachers, coaches, or family friends, who can offer guidance and encouragement.

2. Teach Emotional Regulation

Acknowledge Feelings: Encourage teens to talk about their emotions and validate their experiences without judgment.
Mindfulness Practices: Introduce meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling to help them manage stress and stay present.
Coping Skills: Teach them strategies to deal with anxiety or frustration, such as problem-solving or reframing negative thoughts.

3. Promote a Growth Mindset

Emphasize Effort Over Perfection: Praise hard work, persistence, and progress rather than focusing solely on results.
Encourage Learning from Failure: Help teens see setbacks as opportunities to grow and build confidence in their ability to overcome challenges.

4. Build a Sense of Competence

Encourage Responsibility: Give teens age-appropriate responsibilities, such as household chores or volunteering.
Set Achievable Goals: Help them set and work toward personal goals, celebrating their achievements along the way.
Problem-Solving Skills: Teach them to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and take actionable steps.

5. Encourage Healthy Risk-Taking

Safe Challenges: Support activities that push them out of their comfort zone, like trying a new sport, hobby, or speaking in public.
Evaluate Risks: Teach them how to assess risks and make informed decisions, balancing safety with adventure.

6. Cultivate Self-Esteem

Highlight Strengths: Point out their talents, skills, and positive traits.
Positive Affirmations: Encourage positive self-talk and help them counter negative beliefs about themselves.
Respect Individuality: Allow them to express their identity and make choices, reinforcing their sense of self-worth.

7. Promote Physical and Mental Well-Being

Healthy Lifestyle: Encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep.
Limit Screen Time: Promote offline activities and reduce exposure to negative influences online.
Seek Professional Help: If needed, connect them with a counselor or therapist for extra support.

8. Teach Social and Communication Skills

Active Listening: Show them how to listen empathetically and express their needs assertively.
Conflict Resolution: Help them navigate disagreements constructively without escalating tensions.
Networking Skills: Teach them how to build and maintain supportive social connections.

9. Develop Optimism

Focus on Positivity: Encourage gratitude practices, such as keeping a journal of things they’re thankful for.
Model Resilience: Demonstrate optimism and problem-solving in your own life to set an example.
Balance Perspective: Help them understand that setbacks are temporary and can be overcome.

10. Strengthen Their Sense of Purpose

Encourage Passion Projects: Support their interests and hobbies, which can provide a sense of achievement and joy.
Community Involvement: Engage them in activities that help others, such as volunteering, to build empathy and a sense of contribution.
Reflect on Values: Guide them in exploring their personal values and how those shape their decisions and actions.