Page 81 - Teen Manual

Building New Bridges
CORE CONCEPT: Build bridges to new ways to meet your wants and needs.
Burning bridges removes the means of acting on your ineffective behavior. As a rule, anytime you subtract a behavior from your life, you should look to add new behaviors to replace what was lost. This is where bridge-building comes in.
If your ineffective behavior made you feel good (in the short term)
• Increase opportunities to laugh (e.g., listen to comedy, watch a favorite sitcom, read a
• Practice Build Positive Experience.
• Boost your endorphins through movement, physical touch, or getting outdoors. • Practice affirmations.
List other ways of feeling good:
If your ineffective behavior relaxed you
• Practice Self-Soothe skills.
• Practice deep breathing every hour.
• Schedule down time in which you can turn off your electronics and not be responsible for anything.
• Learn to let go of the “small stuff.” List other ways of practicing relaxation:
If your ineffective behavior involved a ritual
• Start a meditation practice.
• Develop a prayer routine.
• Create morning and bedtime rituals. • Take morning or afternoon tea time.
joke book and tell others your favorites).
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