A few weeks ago I wrote about why some students are scared of going to school and specifically mentioned bullying as one major reason. I then promised to come up with an article detailing ways to cope just in case one finds him or herself bullied. Well here it is as promised! It is important for everyone to take [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][their] time to read through this because the truth is that there isn’t a teenager who doesn’t get bullied at some point or another. Everyone gets bullied! It happens when someone feels they can make you feel horrible for no particular reason just because they can. And these days, bulling comes in different brands [no] thanks to Social Media. In today’s digital world, young people are already struggling to find affirmation, and for many of them their worth is measured by how they compare with others online. No wonder many children are struggling with such low self-esteem issues, loneliness and deep levels of unhappiness; most are subjected to both verbal and physical bullying everyday at school and then online too. But do not worry because the good news is that any kid can overcome by following these simple measures.
NEVER BLAME YOURSELF: It’s never the victim’s fault to be bullied; so do not blame yourself. No matter what the bully says or does to you, never be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.
BE PROUD OF YOURSELF: Despite what a bully says or does to you, always remember that there are many wonderful things about you. Keep those in mind instead of the messages you hear from bullies.
GET HELP: Talk to your parents, teachers, a counselor or any other adult you trust. Doing this does by no means imply that you can’t handle the situation on your own; it only means that you are handling it!
LEARN TO DEAL WITH STRESS: Learning how to relieve stress can make you more resilient so you won’t feel overwhelmed by the bullies. Therefore, exercise, meditate, relax your muscles and do any other thing that helps you keep poised even in the face of difficulty.
WALK AWAY FROM THE BULLIES: Bullies want to know they have control over your emotions. So do not react with anger or retaliate with physical force when you are being bullied. If you walk away, ignore them, or calmly and assertively tell them you’re not interested in what they have to say, you’re demonstrating that they don’t have control over you. And that’s exactly what you must do.
PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN NECESSARY: It is understandable that sometimes it is difficult to walk away when you’re being bullied. Therefore, in such an instance you’ve got to protect yourself instead of just stand there and let yourself be physically harmed. Your safety is the first priority.
REPORT THE BULLYING TO A TRUSTED ADULT: When victims of bullying fail to report threats and assaults, bullies tend to often become more and more aggressive. But by reporting to an adult, most times such adults always find ways to help with the problem.
UNDERSTAND WHY BULLIES ARE INSECURE: The bully is an unhappy, frustrated person who wants to have control over your feelings so that you feel as badly as they do. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE: Reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. Make a list and refer to it whenever you feel down.
FIND THE HUMOR: If you’re relaxed enough to recognize the absurdity of a bullying situation and to comment on it with humor, you’ll likely no longer be an interesting target for a bully!
SHARE YOUR FEELINGS: Talk to a parent, counselor, coach, religious leader, or trusted friend. Expressing what you’re going through can make a huge difference to the way you feel, even if it doesn’t change the situation.
BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE: Exercise is a great way to help you feel good about yourself, as well as reduce stress. Punch a mattress or take a kick boxing class to work off your anger.
DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP: Don’t make a bullying incident worse by dwelling on it or replaying it over and over in your head. Instead, focus on positive experiences you’ve had.
