Coping Skills
Name one grounding technique you can use when anxious.
Deep breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 senses, holding ice, music, etc.
What is emotional suppression?
Pushing down or ignoring emotions instead of processing them.
What is a boundary?
A limit that protects your emotional, physical, or mental well-being.
What is the purpose of the 12 Steps in recovery?
That a person is powerless over addiction/unhealthy behaviors and life has become unmanageable.
Why is sleep considered an important part of mental health?
It affects mood, emotional regulation, concentration, stress, and overall functioning.
What is the difference between avoidance and healthy distraction?
Healthy distraction is temporary and intentional; avoidance ignores the problem completely.
What is the difference between reacting and responding emotionally?
Reacting is impulsive; responding is thoughtful and regulated.
Why is communication important in healthy relationships?
It builds trust, understanding, respect, and helps resolve conflict.
What is the purpose of the 12 Steps in recovery?
To support personal growth, accountability, healing, and ongoing recovery.
Why can self-care feel difficult for people struggling with depression or trauma?
Low motivation, hopelessness, exhaustion, shame, or nervous system dysregulation can make basic care harder.
Why can isolating yourself make mental health symptoms worse?
It reduces support, increases negative thinking, and can increase depression/anxiety.
Name one physical sign that emotions are building up in the body.
Tense muscles, racing heart, sweating, stomach pain, headaches, shaking, etc.
What is gaslighting?
Manipulating someone into questioning their thoughts, memories, or reality.
What is a relapse trigger?
A person, place, emotion, thought, or situation that increases risk of relapse.
How can boundaries support self-care?
They protect energy, emotional well-being, time, and mental health.
A coping strategy that changes negative thoughts into more balanced ones is called what?
Cognitive reframing / reframing thoughts.
What does emotional vulnerability mean?
Being open and honest about feelings, even when uncomfortable.
Why can trauma sometimes affect a person’s ability to trust others?
Past hurt or unsafe experiences can make vulnerability and connection feel threatening.
What does “one day at a time” mean in recovery?
Focusing on manageable daily progress rather than becoming overwhelmed by the future.
What is nervous system regulation?
Helping the body and brain return to a calmer, balanced state after stress or overwhelm.
What does emotional regulation mean?
What does emotional regulation mean?
Why can shame make recovery more difficult?
It can increase isolation, secrecy, low self-worth, and unhealthy coping behaviors.
Why can unresolved attachment wounds impact relationships in recovery?
They may contribute to fear of abandonment, unhealthy attachment patterns, emotional reactivity, or difficulty trusting others.
Which step focuses on admitting wrongs to yourself, another person, and a higher power?
Step 5
What part of the brain is responsible for decision-making, planning, and impulse control?
The prefrontal cortex.