Healthy Coping Skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills.
- Work Out
- Writing/Drawing/Painting/Take Pictures
- Listening to Music
- Spending Time with Friends/Family
- Go for a Walk
- Deep Breathing/Meditation
- Imagery of favorite place
Name one example of an unhealthy coping skill.
- Avoiding Help
- Fighting
- Yelling at others
Which of the following is a benefit of using healthy coping skills?
a.) they reduce stress
b.) they allow us to create better relationships
c.) they allow us to have a healthy mind and body
d.) all of the above
d.) all of the above
True or False:
Talking to others about problems in our lives is a healthy coping skill.
TRUE!
Talking to others allows us to share our emotions and problems so that we do not have to go through them alone.
Tell me three ways to care for yourself
healthy eating
good sleep schedule
speak nicely to yourself
surround yourself with positive people
name one healthy coping skill that can be used when you feel angry.
deep breathing
going for a walk
punching pillows
talk about your feelings
Which of the coping skills below are unhealthy.
- Getting Fresh Air
- Talking to a Trusted Friend/Adult
- Destroying Property
- Eating Unhealthy Food
- Exercising
- Playing Sports
- Taking Feelings Out on Others
- Yelling at someone you don't like
- Destroying Property
- Eating Unhealthy Food
- Taking Feelings Out on Others
- Yelling at someone you don't like
Name two unhealthy coping skills.
- Sleeping too Much
- Eating too Much
- Avoiding the Problem
What are two benefits from using healthy coping skills?
- Feeling more relaxed
- Having a clear mind to help solve your problems
- Creating healthy relationships with others
- Being able to think about your response to a situation
True or False:
Every coping skill is healthy.
FALSE!
Some ways that we learn to cope are not healthy for us! (ex: fighting, eating too much, running from problems, etc.)
why is self love important?
loving yourself leads to better self esteem, more relationship satisfaction, better coping skills
True or False
Anger is a bad thing
False
Anger is not bad, how we express anger can be a poor choice
Anger is an emotion that communicates when something has happened that we don't like
Healthy coping skills help us:
a.) Deal with stressors in our lives
b.) Work through our emotions and problems
c.) Process our thoughts and emotions
d.) All of the above
d.) All of the above
Using healthy coping skills allow us to take a minute and process what is happening with our emotions, stressors, thoughts, and problems.
How can unhealthy coping skills negatively affect our lives?
Unhealthy Coping Skill: Hurt Ourselves, Hurt Others, Creates Problems, Lost Friendships
What are the benefits of using exercise as a coping skill?
Soul
Exercise helps you stay healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.
True or False:
Coping skills are used to avoid problems in our lives.
FALSE!
Coping skills help us work through our problems and emotions. You do not want to avoid these! Avoiding is considered an unhealthy coping skill.
Is positive self talk a way to show yourself love?
yes
How can a person know when they are starting to feel angry?
Clenching fists
Sweating
Wanting to run or fight
Describe mindfulness. Is it a coping skill?
Mindfulness is when you center yourself in the present moment. It can be done through meditation, relaxation exercises, or just simply slowing down and taking notice of things that are currently around you.
Yes, it is a coping skill!
John has a lot of stress from school. When he gets home, he yells at his brothers to get his frustration out. Is this a healthy coping skill and why or why not?
No!
Talking with someone is a great coping skill. However, yelling is unhealthy and it may cause issues in our relationships.
Name three coping skills that can be used to reduce stress?
- meditation
- talking with someone
- breathing exercises
- exercise
- mindfulness
- yoga
True or False:
Coping skills help you focus on the important things in your life.
TRUE!
When we can cope with problems in our lives, it is easier to focus on everything else that is important to us!
Tell me one positive sentence about you could say to yourself.
I can do good things
Everyday is a new day to make better choices
I deserve love
Mistakes show I am trying
Anger Scenario
When Bryan gets told no in school, he will shut down and not do his work. Name two coping skills Bryan could use to help calm his emotions.
take a deep breath
take a break and come back to his work
talk about his feelings
Name three things that you can journal about.
- Your Feelings (sad, happy, mad, motivated, etc.)
- Thoughts
- Favorite Activities
- Goals
- Future Events
Suzie gets in to a fight with her mom. She decides to leave the situation and go for a walk. Is this a healthy coping skill?
Yes!
Going on a walk and leaving the situation is a great way to reduce stress and calm down.
What do coping skills help us with?
Coping skills help us work through and process our emotions so that we can reduce the effect that stressors have on our lives.
True or False:
Coping skills are not important to your well-being.
FALSE!
Coping skills create a sense of calmness, confidence, and inner-peace. They are important for your overall health.
Tell me 2 ways you practice taking care of your self?
a face mask
singing music i like
giving to others
spend time with a pet
Scenario
Jeff is mad that he couldn't find his headphones before school. What sentence could Jeff use to ask for help? Why is it harder to ask for help when feeling angry?
"I'm feeling frustrated that I can't find my headphones and I'm worried I will miss the bus. Can you help me find them?"