How to Build Your Resilience Muscle Through Play

Learn how to turn challenging games and puzzles into a way to grow your resilience and keep trying when things get tough.

1. Pick your challenge. Choose a game or puzzle that is just hard enough to make you think, but not so hard that you feel like you can't do it at all. Ask a grown-up if you aren't sure which one to pick.
2. Set a focus timer. Set a timer for 15 minutes. During this time, commit to working on the challenge without stopping. If you feel frustrated, take three deep breaths instead of walking away.
3. Track your attempts. When you hit a roadblock, write down one thing you tried that didn't work. This helps you see that every 'mistake' is actually a clue that gets you closer to the answer.
4. Celebrate the effort. When the timer goes off, look at how much progress you made. Whether you finished or not, celebrate the fact that you stuck with it for the whole time.