What is stress?
Stress is how your body reacts to change; and because change is a constant in all of our lives so is stress. The degree of stress however fluctuates. How we deal with stress is important. One of the ways is by developing coping mechanisms, skills or techniques.
How do we cope?
We all cope differently. Some ways are healthy and some ways are unhealthy. We’ve learned these ways as a result of our experiences, environment and what we have been taught. Our goal is to give you a long list of positive coping skills and a set of questions to ask yourself so you can determine if a skill in your life is positive or negative for you.
Questions to ask yourself about how you cope:
- Does this coping skill impact me positively physically?
- Does this coping skill impact me positively in relationships?
- Does this coping skill impact me positively emotionally?
- Is the coping skill effective in helping me relieve stress and feel better?
- Is the a coping skill that is easy and accessible to me when I need it?
List of Healthy Coping Skills:
- Exercise (in a way that is healthy for you)
- Write (poetry, journal, short stories, letters etc)
- Scribble or Doodle
- Be with other people
- Watch a favorite TV Show
- Check out inspirational Websites
- Go see a movie
- Do a word search of a puzzle
- Do schoolwork
- Play a musical instrument
- paint your nails or do makeup
- Sing (maybe even in the shower)
- Study the Sky
- Punch a punching bag
- Let yourself cry
- Take a nap if you are tired
- Take a hot shower (or bath)
- Play with a pet
- Go shopping
- Clean Something
- Knit or Sew
- Read a good book
- Listen to Music
- Try some aromatherapy
- Meditate
- Go somewhere public
- Bake cookies
- Alphabetize CDs/DVDs/Books.
- Paint of Draw
- Rip Paper into itty-bitty pieces
- Shoot Hoops, Kick a Ball
- Write a letter or send an email
- Plan your dream room (colors/furniture)
- Hug a pillow or stuffed animal.
- Dance
- Make hot chocolate, milkshake or smoothie
- Play with Play-Dough
- Build a pillow fort
- Go for a nice, long, drive
- Complete something you’ve been putting off
- Take up a new hobby
- Look up recipes and cook a meal
- Look at pretty things like flowers and art
- Create or build something
- Pray
- Make a list of blessings in your life
- Read the Bible
- Go to a friend’s house
- Jump on a trampoline
- Watch old happy movies
- Contact a hotline or therapist
- Talk to someone close to you
- Ride a bike
- Feed ducks, birds, or squirrels
- Color with crayons
- Memorize a poem, play or song
- Stretch
- Search for ridiculous things on the internet
- Shop online
- Color-coordinate your wardrobe
- Make a CD with your favorite songs
- Plan your wedding/prom or other event
- Plan seeds
- Hunt for you perfect car or home online
- Sort through old photographs
- Play with a balloon
- Give yourself a facial
- Start collecting something
- Play a video/computer games
- Volunteer
- Perform a random act of kindness
- Text of call an old friend
- Write yourself an “I love you because..” letter
- Look up new words
- Rearrange Furniture
- Go for a walk
- Put a puzzle together
- Clean your room or closet
- Practice Yoga
- Teach your pet a new trick
- Learn a new language
- Hug someone
- Listen to music
- Make a list of goals
Coping can be really challenging for intense emotions. Sometimes you may need to use more than one skill for a particular stressor or event (that’s okay). However, when your coping skills are continually failing you – reach out for more support, either from a mental health professional, a suicide prevention hotline, or if you are in immediate crisis 911 or your nearest emergency room.
Coping is tough but you are tougher.
This is Where I Stand.
Where I Stand 