MY BEHAVIOR
After experiencing something stressful or possibly even traumatic, your behavior may change.
Given the disruption to your routine you may:
- have a hard time controlling strong emotions (for example anger, shame, guilt, embarrassment)
- have a hard time expressing how you feel to other people
- want to engage in atypical behaviors
- experience trouble sleeping
- get into more arguments and conflicts with your peers
- not want to hang out with your friends or participate in social activities
- find it difficult to engage in school
Helpful Tips:
- Creating a routine with small goals can help keep you grounded!
- Be mindful of your longterm goals
- Try to control your perception of the events taking place (view them as a challenge to be overcome)
- Show gratitude towards others (caregivers, community members, essential workers, etc)
- Find meaning in the situation
- Understand that you are saving lives and preventing the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing
- To counter uncertainty, gather accurate information about the situation with a trusted adult
- Practice self-compassion and do not feel bad about needing reassurance from others.
- Practice courage (accept things as they are and move forward)
- Visualize being kind to others, then act on it!
- Use social media to connect with others but do not compare yourself to others (they may only show the highlights of their experience)