Try This: Talk About Your Problems
In this article
Tricky situations can leave you feeling stressed and you may not know what to do. Bottling it up inside isn't good for your feelings or body. It can make you not want to hang out with your friends or just stay inside watching TV instead of getting outside after school. Talking to someone else can help. Sometimes, you might want to talk about your problems to somebody besides your parents. But maybe you don't know who to talk to or what to say.
Here are some tips to help you figure it out.
Who to talk to:
- Start with a teacher you trust or go to a counselor at your school. They talk to kids every day and know what to say and how to handle problems.
- Other people who can help? Try grandparents, aunts, uncles, even neighbors if you are close to them. You can talk to a coach, scout leader, or someone at church about your problem.
The important thing is to talk to a grown-up you know pretty well and you feel comfortable with.
What to think about:
- Before you go, try to think of specific things you want to say. For example, if someone is bullying you, try to remember things that person said or did.
- The more you can tell someone about your problem, the easier it will be for them to help you.
What to say:
If you’re not sure what to say, try this. Just fill in the blanks.
- Hi, __________.
- Can you help me? I'm worried about __________.
- I'm not sure what to do about it. Do you have any ideas?
Sometimes it's hard to just go up to somebody and ask for help. Maybe you can talk about your problem like this:
- You can ask your grandma or an uncle to sit down and play a game with you.
- While you're playing, say "Hey, has this ever happened to you?"
- Then tell them what's going on at school or at home that is worrying you.
What to do next:
After you've talked to someone, think about what they said and the ideas they came up with. Then decide what you want to try next to tackle your problem. You might want to write this down so you don't forget.
You can do something to help your stress. Talking to a grown-up isn't that hard or scary, and it can make you feel better. A grown-up can help you figure out what to do, too.
It's important to learn how to handle your stress so you don't do something that will cause more problems or make you feel worse. Now that you know how to talk about your problems, you're on your way to a healthier you.
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