Definitions
What is a coping skill ?
This is anything you do to help us deal with stress, difficult emotions, or challenging situations.
Name 3 Healthy Coping Skills
Journaling
Listening to Music
Exercising
Meditation
*Answers may vary.
Deep breathing can help calm your body's stress response.
TRUE!
This healthy coping skill helps gets your body moving and can improve your mood.
Exercise
Going for a walk after a stressful day.
Your friend is crying because they failed a quiz. Name one healthy coping skill you could suggest.
Talk to someone, practice positive self-talk, make a study plan, etc.
Define "healthy coping skills"
Any positive action or strategy that helps you manage stress, difficult emotions, or challenging situations in a safe and effective way.
Name 3 Unhealthy Coping Skills
Harming others or yourself
Substance abuse
Aggression
Procrastination
*Answers may vary.
Avoiding every stressful situation is the best long-term coping strategy.
FALSE !!
Avoiding stress may feel better at first, but it usually doesn't solve the problem and can make anxiety or stress worse over time.
This unhealthy coping skill involves taking your anger out by hitting, kicking, or breaking objects.
Aggression
You forgot your presentation is today and start to panic. What's the first healthy coping skill you should use?
Take slow, deep breaths (or pause and calm your body).
Define "unhealthy coping skills"
Ways of dealing with stress or emotions that may provide temporary relief but can negatively affect your health, relationships, or future.
What is a relaxing coping skill you can use when you feel stressed?
Taking deep breaths or sitting quietly can help your body calm down.
Everyone copes with stress in exactly the same way.
FALSE!!
Everyone experiences stress differently, so the coping skills that work best can vary from person to person.
This unhealthy coping skill involves constantly criticizing yourself or believing you can't do anything right.
Negative self-talk
Someone posts a rude comment about you online. What is one healthy response?
Talk to a trusted adult, block/report the person, avoid arguing online.
What is positive self-talk?
This coping skill involves replacing negative thoughts with kind, encouraging, and realistic thoughts about yourself.
Who can you talk to when you feel upset?
Any support person!
Unhealthy coping skills are still coping skills.
TRUE !!
Sometimes they are the only things we know at that time. It is important to separate what is healthy from what isn't to make sure we are making the most use of healthy coping skills.
This unhealthy coping skill involves avoiding friends, family, or activities you usually enjoy because you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Social Withdrawal
You've been stressed all week and notice you're becoming irritable with everyone. What is a healthy way to cope?
Take a break, exercise, journal, talk to someone, practice relaxation techniques.
What is resilience?
This is the ability to bounce back after facing challenges or setbacks.
How is music a healthy coping skill?
You can find music that helps empower and uplift you when you are feeling down. You can also find music that lyrically expresses the emotions you are feeling at the moment. Sometimes, hearing someone else put those emotions into a song can help you feel seen and not alone.
Healthy coping skills may not make stress disappear, but they can help you manage it better.
TRUE !!
Stress is a normal part of life, but healthy coping skills help you respond to it in a safe, positive, and effective way.
This unhealthy coping skill involves putting off important tasks or responsibilities to avoid feeling stressed or anxious.
Procrastination
You are feeling overwhelmed with school, work, and personal responsibilities. Instead of ignoring your stress or using unhealthy habits, what are two healthy coping skills you could use?
Making a plan, talking to someone you trust, exercising, practicing mindfulness, journaling, or using positive self-talk.