All children face adversity and stress at some point , such as bullying , divorce , failure , loss , moving , etc . Sadly , almost half of the nations ’ children have also experienced at least one type of serious childhood trauma according to a survey by the National Survey fo Children ’ s Health ( NSCH ). This is why resilience is so important . It gives these kids the ability to overcome these obstacles and bounce back .
Resilience is key to good mental health . It reduces the chances that your child will suffer from anxiety or other stress-related disorders . Katie Hurley is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and author of The Happy Kids Handbook . She says , “ Resilience helps kids navigate stressful situations . When kids have the skills and the confidence to confront and work through their problems , they learn that they have what it takes to confront difficult issues . The more they bounce back on their own , the more they internalize the message that they are strong and capable .”
There are many ways to help children cultivate resilience , but there is one that is often overlooked - unleashing creativity . Being creative helps kids find an outlet for negative emotions and reduces stress . The arts have long been used by doctors and therapists . Arts therapies have been found to alleviate anxiety , depression , and stress while increasing resilience and wellbeing . When we engage in creative endeavors , we have a new way of expressing our emotions and processing our negative experiences . This aids in recovery in the short-term but also builds long-term confidence and competence . Each time we use creativity as an outlet for expression , we are building resilience .
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