By Erin Atkinson (Research Assistant)
Self-awareness is a fundamental skill for emotional well-being however it can often be overlooked in daily life. One way we can develop self-awareness is through structured programmes like the ReSET trial, a school-based intervention designed to support resilience. In ReSET, young people engage with strategies to develop self-awareness, which is a core component of the intervention. But what if adults could also benefit from these tools?
Why Self-Awareness Matters
Self-awareness helps individuals recognise their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, allowing them to respond thoughtfully rather than react spontaneously. It strengthens relationships, enhances decision-making, and encourages personal growth through taught communication strategies and collaborate problem solving. Teaching young people self-awareness not only benefits them but also improves the way adults support their development.
The ReSET Approach to Self-Awareness
Through ReSET, young people engage with practical strategies that encourage reflection, curiosity, and emotional insight. These same techniques can be adapted for adults looking to deepen their self-understanding. Here are some key skills that ReSET promotes:
1. Recognising Emotional Triggers
- What situations make you feel stressed or overwhelmed?
- How do you typically react to these situations?
2. Practicing Mindful Reflection
- Take a moment each day to check in with your emotions.
- Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now, and why?
3. Understanding Thought Patterns
- Identify recurring thoughts that influence your mood and actions.
- Challenge unhelpful beliefs by asking: Is this thought based on fact or assumption?
4. Building Emotional Vocabulary
- Name your emotions, these can often be beyond just “happy” or “sad.” Consider words like “frustrated,” “content,” or “overwhelmed.”
- Supporting people to use a wider emotional vocabulary to help them communicate more effectively.
5. Encouraging Open Conversations
- Encourage discussions that allow for honest reflection. This can help individuals express their thoughts openly and develop deeper self-awareness.
- Encourage young people to recognise where they may have misinterpreted a situation. This can involve reflecting on assumptions they have made, questioning their initial reactions, and considering alternative perspectives. By doing so, they can enhance their emotional intelligence and communication skills.
- Use thought-provoking questions to help young people (and yourself) explore feelings and experiences.
Turning Insights into Action
On our social media channels, we’re sharing simple, yet powerful questions designed to build self-awareness in young people. The prompts outlined in this blog offer a glimpse into the ReSET approach, but we will be giving a fuller picture as our blog unfolds over children and young people’s mental health awareness week. By following along, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to nurture self-awareness in both yourself and the young people around you.
Want to explore more? Check out our latest posts and join the conversation!
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The theme of this year’s Place2Be Children’s Mental Health Week (3rd-9th February 2025) is: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. The UK Charity hopes to encourage young people to further develop their self-awareness and learn how better understanding ourselves, better prepares us to tackle life’s ups and downs.
If you haven’t already, go read the two other blogs we’ve posted this week for Children’s Mental Health Week:
- How to support young people to embrace self-awareness within a group setting
- A Young Person’s Guide – Why Self-Awareness is a Game-Changer for Your Mental Wellbeing
You can also check out the content we have been creating for our social media channels this week by following us any of the following platforms:
Twitter (now X): @ReSET_Project_
BlueSky: @resetproject.bsky.social
LinkedIn: ReSET Project
