Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Over time, most of us have to deal with a bully or two, perhaps as children or maybe as an adult.
Recent statistics reveal that one in four children are faced with bullying at one time or another.
Bullying is faced by Adults as well in the workplace, the home, the military, hospitals, and even nursing homes.
Here are few tips to deal with Bullying
1. Don’t blame yourself
It is not your fault. No matter what a bully says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.
The bully is the person with the problem, not you.
2. Try to view bullying from a different perspective
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.
3. Stand tall and be brave
Sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully.
Stand tall and you’ll send the message: “Don’t mess with me.” It’s easier to feel brave when you feel good about yourself.
4. Show minimal reaction to their bullying
Do not show the bullies that you feel hurt and they’ve succeeded in affecting you; just walk away as if you didn’t mind it.
Bullies gain satisfaction from making others feel hurt or uncomfortable, so reacting to them will only encourage them further.
The bully wants attention and if you show them that they are emotionally hurting you, they will get more pleasure out of doing it.
5. Feel your inner strength
Everyone has an inner strength to draw on; the problem with bullying is that many bullies try to make you feel that you lack this strength and that you’re less of a person because of this.
It’s not true; beware the deliberate attempt to belittle you and cause you to feel weak.
6. Don’t beat yourself up
Don’t make a bullying incident worse by dwelling on it or reading cyberbullying messages over and over.
Instead, delete any messages and focus on the positive experiences in your life.
There are many wonderful things about you so be proud of who you are.
7. Work your way around the bullies
Try to avoid them in school and social situations.If they take the same route that you do, try a different way;if they can’t find you, they can’t bully you.
8. Take martial arts lessons
Consider Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Aikido or something similar.
Martial arts skills will also help you learn how not to appear to be an easy target.
You don’t have to look like a fighter, just be a no-nonsense type with a don’t-mess-with-me aura.
9. Don’t bully back
Don’t hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends.
Fighting back just satisfies a bully and it’s dangerous, too, because someone could get hurt.
You’re also likely to get in trouble. It’s best to stay with others, stay safe, and get help from an adult.
10. Get a buddy (and be a buddy)
Make a plan to walk with a friend or two on the way to school, recess, lunch, or wherever you think you might meet the bully.
Offer to do the same if a friend is having bully trouble.
11. Learn to manage stress
Finding healthy ways to relieve the stress generated by bullying can make you more resilient so you won’t feel overwhelmed by negative experiences.
Exercise, meditation, positive self-talk, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises are all good ways to cope with the stress of bullying.
12. Spend time doing things you enjoy
The more time you spend with activities that bring you pleasure like sports, hobbies, hanging out with friends who don’t participate in bullying, the less significance bullying or cyberbullying will have on your life.
13. Tell an adult
If you are being bullied, it’s very important to tell an adult.
Find someone you trust and talk about what is happening to you.
Teachers, principals, parents, and lunchroom helpers at school can all help to stop bullying.
Sometimes bullies stop as soon as a teacher finds out because they’re afraid that they will be punished by parents.
