Building a Resiliency Plan Now you have learned about three strategies for managing negative feelings and increasing positive experiences: Stress Management includes strategies for calming your mind and body when you begin to feel overwhelmed by stress. Behavioral Activation includes activities to build your energy, sense of accomplishment, social connections, and general well-being. Prioritizing Valued Activities involves focusing on the parts of life that you value most and prioritizing what is important to you. Use what you have learned to make a list of the activities that you and your family would like to try. The stress and resiliency library lists activities you can use to calm your mind and body, build your energy and positive experiences, and prioritize what you value most. Each activity you select will be added to your Resiliency Plan that you can download on the next page. You can also write in your own activities under the Other Items option available in each section. Stress Management Stress Management OptionsCalming your Mind and Body Relaxed breathing: allow your belly to expand as you inhale and exhale slowly. Repeat 5 to 10 times Practice Mindfulness Spend 10 minutes outside focusing on what you see, hear, and feel Focus on what is happening around you while walking Focus on the taste, smell, and texture of food while eating Meditation Remind yourself that the worst outcome is the least likely Make a list of things you have done in the past to handle stress Write down a worry/negative thought and then write down a more positive way to look at it Write down a worry/negative thought and then list reasons it is unlikely to happen Write down a worry/negative thought and then make a plan of what you can do if it comes true Make a list of things in your life you are grateful for Make a list of things in your life that you are looking forward to Taking care of yourself Schedule time alone Allow yourself to take breaks Limit use of social media Limit reading/viewing the news to 15 minutes twice per day Watch something that makes you laugh Listen to music Go for a drive (if you’re old enough and have your license!!) Kids: Be kind to yourself. Remember, stress can affect anyone anytime and it may affect everyone differently. Parents: Be kind to yourself. Remember, being a parent is hard work and you are doing the best you can. Other Items Behavioral Activation Behavioral Activation OptionsHealthy Habits: Physical activities Walk around your neighborhood or park Do a physical activity for 30-minutes Dance Rollerblade Spend time outside Go for a jog Take a bike ride Do a 7-minute work-out Use home exercise equipment Play with a pet Walk the dog Healthy Habits: Eating Add more vegetables to your meals Add more fruit to your meals Add more beans to your meals Add more fish to your meals Eat only at meal times Replace sugary drinks with water Drink water with every meal Drink water between every meal Healthy Habits: Sleep Stop eating three hours before bedtime Leave cell phone outside your bed room Remove screens and technological devices from your bedroom No screen-time for one hour before bed Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed Make your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet Set the same wake-up time for every day (don’t sleep too late) Set a regular sleep time (go to bed on time) Turn your lights off before bed Healthy Habits: Medical care Take your medication as prescribed Follow your doctor’s recommendations Mastery Activities: Work or school tasks Write down the steps needed to complete a project (home or work-related) Make a list and complete daily household chores Complete a piece of homework that is easy Complete a piece of homework that you have been putting off Work on a needed home improvement project Mastery Activities: Hobbies Do an art project Sew or knit Pick up a new hobby Relearn a skill Read a new book Reread a book you read before, and loved Work on a puzzle Mastery Activities: Daily activities Start each day by showering and getting dressed Shave / Put on makeup Social Activities: Connecting with friends and family Call/video-call a friend Call/video-call a family member Play a game as a family Host a virtual game night with friends or family Do a group activity in person (e.g. board games, practicing a dance challenge) Go to a party, or host an event Visit friends or have friends visit Send an email to friend Eat out with friends/associates/family Social Activities: Groups Go to a place of spirituality Join a sports team Join a club Join a dance class Join or start a book club Social Activities: Helping others Help someone who is in need Go out of your way to doing something kind for someone Other Items Values and Priorities Values and Priorities OptionsQuestions to Identify Values What do I do that makes me feel proud? (answer below) What do I hope my friends and family see in me? (answer below) In this time of stress, how do I want to behave? (answer below) How do I want to treat myself, others, and the world? (answer below) What sort of person do I want to be? (answer below) What strengths do I want to develop? (answer below) What gets me out of bed in the morning? (answer below) When do I feel the most alive? (answer below) What do I do that makes me feel proud?* What do I hope my friends and family see in me?* In this time of stress, how do I want to behave?* How do I want to treat myself, others, and the world?* What sort of person do I want to be?* What strengths do I want to develop?* What gets me out of bed in the morning?* When do I feel the most alive?* Values Being a good friend Having good relationships Having adventures Being healthy Having a place I belong Being challenged Being educated Being a respected leader Making my family proud Being a good parent Being a good son or daughter Building up my community Helping others Having a spiritual connection Being safe and having security Being independent Being seen by others as successful Having meaningful relationships Feeling like part of a community Being a good family member Having a good time Being humble and modest Following established traditions and customs Behaving in a proper manner Treating yourself well Being financially successful Being fair, treating others equally Following my own path in life Being physically healthy and fit Standing up for my personal beliefs Being a responsible person, and keeping my word Other Items