In today’s conditions, where graduating from a university alone is no longer enough to build a good future or move forward in a promising career, and where young people encounter uncertainty in every direction they turn, protecting mental and emotional well-being and not becoming consumed by stress is quite difficult. For this reason, in order for young people to maintain their psychological balance, it is first and foremost necessary for them to recognize their own emotions, put them into words, and learn to cope with these emotions in a healthy way.
Recognizing one’s own emotions is essential for building healthy relationships and being able to manage one’s behavior. However, this is particularly difficult for young people who are constantly exposed to emotional fluctuations. Naming the emotions felt throughout the day out loud, allowing oneself time to think instead of reacting immediately when faced with a difficult situation, and keeping a journal are behaviors that can help individuals become more aware of their own emotions.
Young people who recognize their emotions and develop emotional resilience are far more successful at coping with stress. For emotional resilience to develop, stress should be seen not as an enemy that must be eliminated, but as a process that needs to be managed. Stress, which is often perceived as a major threat, can provide both motivation and discipline when kept under control. Not giving up immediately in the face of negative experiences, focusing on solutions rather than problems, practicing breathing exercises regularly, engaging in physical activities, and developing hobbies are all activities that can help individuals cope with stress. When stress reaches a level that a person cannot manage on their own, seeking help from a professional or talking to someone they trust becomes extremely important. Another factor that plays a significant role in developing emotional resilience is having self-confidence. Being aware of one’s strengths and reminding oneself of the challenges they have overcome and the achievements they have attained increases a person’s confidence in themselves. For self-confident individuals, every mistake becomes an opportunity to recognize what they could do differently, and this awareness allows them to approach future problems in a more mature way.
In conclusion, young people who can recognize their emotions, use stress to their advantage, and maintain their self-confidence not only overcome the challenges they face, but also grow and develop by learning from the process. Thanks to these skills, they can evaluate the problems they encounter more calmly and confidently steer their own lives.
Feyza Tekinkaya
Yücel Kültür Vakfı
Volunteer Writer