We see a lot out there about “beating” or “fighting back” against bullying, even on our own website at times. So, we thought we would try to approach bullying prevention in a more positive light.
Here are some positive tips for our readers.
- Don’t be a bully. As obvious as it sounds, it’s not as obvious as you may think. Bullies don’t usually consider themselves bullies. Remember though, every unkind word, and every condescending statement is a form of bullying! Listen to the tone of your voice, the words that you speak, and the actions you take. Remember that all of this applies to bullying yourself too. Even if you don’t bully others, beating yourself up emotionally or conflicting self-harm in anyway is bullying yourself.
- Stand up for yourself. If you are being bullied, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. This doesn’t mean beating the person bullying you up. (Physically bullying is another matter and there are many cases in which standing up for yourself could be too dangerous and put yourself at more of a risk; walk away if possible.) You have the right to say to a friend, parent, boss, random person, etc. that you do NOT want to be bullied! You have the right to say “NO,” to walk away, to call him/her out on being a bully. You are valuable and you have the right to stand up for yourself and remind others of your worth.
- Stand up for others. It is tempting not to get involved with others that are being bullied and in some cases (especially in school), it’s almost better to join in on the bullying to avoid becoming one of the bullied. But not standing up for others is just as bad as doing the actual bullying. If you see someone being bullied, stand up for that person! Step in and tell them to stop! As tempting as it is to stand by and stay out of it, don’t. Sometimes the people that are being bullied need someone to back them up and be the voice that they need when they can’t speak.
- Ask for help. Bullying obviously takes on many forms. If the bullying is physical or dangerous it is important to seek help. If you’re a child or a teenager, talk to an adult you trust. If you’re at work, talk to the boss’s boss. If it’s at home, find an outside resource or organization that can help you. There’s no shame in asking for help, just strength.
- Seek counseling. If you think you might be a bully, find a counselor or therapist that can help you uncover why you bully and how you can stop. If you’re being bullied, find a counselor who can help you find the best ways to address the bully while also helping you deal with the negativity and often the long-term impact of being bullied. Even if you have been able to stop bullying or have stopped the bully form bothering you, you may be dealing with emotional issues as a result of having been bullied or having been a bully. Seeking outside help will help you deal, cope, and eventually overcome these issues
- Love yourself. Loving yourself is crucial when it comes to overcoming bullying. Loving yourself will prevent you from being a bully. It will help you stand up for yourself if you feel like you’re being bullied. It’ll force you to remove yourself form the negative situations in which you might be bullied. It’ll help you overcome and cope with any bullying you might face or will face. Loving yourself is so important. It’s also the most important and essential aspect of bully prevention. People who love themselves don’t bully and people who love themselves don’t allow themselves to be bullied.