Healthy Coping Skills
Name a healthy coping skill that you use or want to start using.
- Reading
- Writing/Journaling
- Listening to music or watching TV
- Talking to friends/family
- Attending walk group
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
Name one example of an unhealthy coping skill.
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- 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.
Who can I go to if I want to talk to someone about my emotions or stress?
Anyone, especially your treatment team!
Name two healthy coping skills that you use or want to use.
- Playing a game
- Talking to a therapist
- Watching t.v./movies
- Exercising in the courtyard
- Playing sports in the courtyard
- Arts and Crafts
Name two unhealthy coping skills.
- Eating too much
- Taking medications not prescribed to you
- Stopping your medication
- Not eating enough
- 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: smoking, drinking, gambling, etc.)
In addition to walk groups, how can I enjoy the outdoors?
Attend courtyard breaks!
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?
When we use an unhealthy coping skill we can hurt ourselves, hurt others, cause more problems that we have to deal with, etc.
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 can I contact and get support from my loved ones?
Use the pay phones if possible and attend phone call groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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 work. When he gets home, he yells at his wife to get his frustration out. Is this a healthy coping skill?
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!
I would like to journal or write a letter. Who can I ask about this?
Nursing staff! They can provide you with a pen, paper, an envelope, and a stamp. You can send two letters per week.
Name three things that you can journal about every day.
- Your feelings (sad, happy, mad, motivated, etc.)
- Thoughts
- Types of coping skills that you used that day
- Leisure activities that you did that day
- Goals that you have for the week/month/year
Suzie gets in to a fight with her mom. She decides to leave the situation and go for a walk. While on her walk, she stops at a bar to have some drinks to relieve her stress. Is this a healthy coping skill?
No!
Going on a walk and leaving the situation is a great way to reduce stress and calm down. However, drinking alcohol is not a healthy way to solve her problems.
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.
Drawing helps me relax. Who can I talk to about this?
Your rehabilitation therapist, Desiree! She is here on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.