Healthy Coping Skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills.
- Read a Book
- Writing/Drawing/Painting
- Listening to Music
- Spending Time with Friends/Family
- Go for a Walk
- Deep Breathing
- Meditation
Name one example of an unhealthy coping skill.
- Avoiding Help
- Fighting
- Yelling at others
- Harming others or yourself
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.
Jokes can be a healthy coping skill as long as they are not overused and taking the place of processing your feelings.
Someone has made fun of your hair. What do you do?
You could:
Walk away
Tell them that hurt your feelings
Tell an adult
Take a deep breath
Which of the coping skills below are unhealthy.
- Getting Fresh Air
- Talking to a Trusted Friend/Adult
- Destroying Property
- Hair pulling and eating it
- Exercising
- Playing Sports
- 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 some benefits that you have experienced 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 are ghosts bad liars?
Because you can see right through them!
You can't seem to get the right answer no matter how many times you do the same math problem. What do you do?
You could:
Take a deep breath
Ask for help
Move onto another problem
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
Exercise is a great coping skill that is good for your mind, body, and ____ .
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.
How do you make fruit punch?
Give it a boxing lesson.
You are overwhelmed by your schoolwork and starting to freak out. What do you do?
You could:
Ask to take a walk
Talk to someone you trust
Take a deep breath
Take a drink of cold water
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.
What coping skills can be used to reduce stress? Name three.
- 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!
What do you call two witches that live together?
Broommates!
You've just gotten some very sad news while you are at school, and you feel like crying. What do you do?
You could:
Ask to use the bathroom and compose yourself
Talk to a trusted adult
Share your concerns with a friend
Take a deep breath
Take a walk
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.
What do you call a wizard from outer space that can fly?
A flying sorcerer!
You're feeling left behind because your friends started a game of 6 square without you. What do you do?
You could:
Tell them how that made you feel
Wait until the next round and jump in
Ask for them not to do that again
Take a deep breath
Walk away and find something else to do