Physical Health

Good physical health fosters the ability to handle life's challenges because it prepares the body and mind to be more resilient. Adults can foster children's resiliency by helping them eat well. Some foods foster good neurological development, particularly proteins (milk, meat, nuts) and vitamins (vegetables, vitamin pills). Eating a breakfast that includes protein improves school performance, which in turn improves resiliency.

Medical care. Vaccinations, vision and hearing evaluations, and seeking medical care for illness increases resiliency by improving school performance. Short-term medication, such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs, can be helpful in breaking the cycle of negative emotions. Long-term medications, when appropriately prescribed and monitored for disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or seizures, are essential for the resiliency of individuals with chronic conditions.

Exercise . Exercise, even walking or bicycling a half hour three times a week, not only improves resiliency and physical health but is extremely helpful for emotional health. Individuals in the habit of regular exercise, and who have a type of exercise they enjoy, are in a much better position to deal with the anxiety, anger, or depression that can result from adversity. Parents and older siblings should encourage children who are disinclined to exercise on their own to exercise regularly with them.

Adequate sleep. Getting enough sleep fosters resiliency. With longer work hours, increased number of activities, and attempts to spend family time together, it can be challenging to ensure that children obtain the necessary 9-10 hours of sleep each night. This problem can be even more severe for teenagers, given the conflict between their high sleep needs, the early high school starting times, and the demands of activities and jobs.

Positive stress control. Controlling stress encourages resiliency. The most important way for parents to teach children to use positive stress control is for the adults to use and demonstrate positive stress controls themselves, such as meditation, controlled breathing, yoga, exercise, developing talents, and other "relaxation responses." They do not abuse alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to reduce stress. In addition, adults need to expressly tell children and adolescents what behaviors are acceptable.

Good prenatal care . Resiliency is fostered by good prenatal care. During pregnancy, the mother should eat well, take vitamins, see a physician, practice positive stress control, and avoid diseases, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. A healthy prenatal environment helps unborn children attain a healthy weight, reach full term, and develop a healthy nervous system and brain. This means the children are less likely to have future health or learning problems, and in turn increases resilience. While we cannot undo a poor prenatal environment once a child is born, all adolescents should be educated about the importance of good prenatal care so they will provide their own children with good prenatal care. This will increase the resilience of future generations.

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