Healthy Coping Skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills.
- Reading
- Writing/Drawing/Painting
- Listening to Music
- Spending Time with Friends/Family
- Go for a Walk
- Deep Breathing
- Asking for help
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 to feel and be happier
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 some ways to care for yourself
healthy eating
good sleep schedule
speak nicely to yourself
surround yourself with positive people
What is impulse control?
Impulse control is the ability to think about something before doing or saying it.
Which of the coping skills below are healthy.
- Going for a walk
- Talking to a Trusted Friend/Adult
- Destroying Property
- Asking for help
- Exercising
- Hitting others
- Playing Sports
- Taking Feelings Out on Others
- Yelling at others
- Going for a walk
- Talking to a Trusted Friend/Adult
- Asking for help
- Exercising
- Playing Sports
Name two unhealthy coping skills.
- Sleeping too Much
- Eating too Much
- Avoiding the Problem
-Hurting others or destroying property
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 is self love important?
loving yourself leads to better self esteem, more relationship satisfaction, better coping skills
Why is impulse control important?
It is important so that we do not make decisions without first thinking about them. For example, when taking a test, we need to think about the question before we choose an answer.
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 skills make it harder for us to feel better and cope with the problem. Often, it creates more problems and harms relationships.
Exercise helps you stay healthy physically and mentally. It is also a great way to get out feelings of frustration or anger.
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
What is one way to control your impulses?
take 3 deep breaths before answering or doing something
Taking deep breaths
Asking a trusted adult for help
Asking for a break
John is feeling overwhelmed and upset after school. His parent asks him to do the dishes and, without thinking, John gets upset. He begins yelling at his mom and throwing the dishes onto the ground. Is this a good coping skill?
No!
Yelling at others and destroying property are both unhealthy coping skills. His reaction hurts his moms feelings and can also make her upset. If John is feeling overwhelmed he can ask mom for help or for a break.
What coping skills can be used to reduce stress? Name three.
- talking with someone
- breathing exercises
- exercise
- taking a break
- taking a walk
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!
Give one example of positive self-talk.
I am a hard worker.
I am proud of myself.
I deserve happiness and love.
I can make good choices.
Scenario
Ben is at school when an older student begins to tease him. The older student begins to call him names like "baby ben" and "tiny." Ben becomes upset and begins hitting the older student. How could Ben have reacted differently?
It is ok that Ben was upset that he was being called names. However, hitting others is never ok.
Instead, Ben should have used his coping skills, like taking deep breaths, to stop and think before reacting. After he felt calm, Ben could tell the teacher or ask a trusted adult for help.
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 to reduce how it effects ourselves and others.
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 self love/self care?
using positive self-talk
spending time with people you enjoy
taking care of myself (eating healthy, exercise)
Allowing myself time to rest
How does identifying your emotion help with impulse control?
If you are able to stop and think of how you are feeling before reacting, you will be better able to problem solve or make better decisions.