Healthy Coping Skills

Do you know what coping skills are? They are the things you do in high stress situations to deal with your emotions. They can be anything from exercise, to destructive spending, to taking deep breaths. So the big question is, do you have healthy or unhealthy coping skills?

Truthfully, we all have some less-than healthy coping skills (unless you’ve already done the hard work and broken bad habits). The important thing is to recognize when you are feeling anxious, pause, and choose a healthy coping skill. Which from the list below would you like to start implementing in your life?

Positive Coping Skills

• Acknowledge feelings

• Communicate (express) feelings

• Attend support groups

• Identify triggers

• Explore all your options

• Listen to music

• Access support system

• Use relaxation techniques

• Meditation, prayer plans

• Leisure activities

• Hobbies

• Exercise

• Eat healthy

• Get enough sleep

• Take care of basic hygiene

• Pets

• Have fun

• Keep therapy appointments

• Stay on medication

• Keep appointments with doctor

• Set realistic expectations

• Set realistic goals

• Acknowledge your accomplishments

• Reward yourself

• Self-pampering, bubble bath, massage

• Hire a maid, pedicure, manicure

• Journaling

• Know your symptoms and warning signs

• Accept yourself how you are

• Use positive self-talk

• Accept compliments

• Accept feedback from others

• Accept help from others

• Do not believe others can read your mind

• Do not believe you have control over other people’s feelings

• Do not believe other people have control over your feelings

• Set healthy boundaries

• Be assertive