Healthy coping skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills
Some examples:
-deep breathing
-going for a walk
-exercising
-listening to music
-talking to a friend
-drawing
-meditating
Name 3 unhealthy coping skills
Some examples:
-being violent
-yelling
-drugs or alcohol
-avoiding the problem
-shutting down
-picking at skin/nails
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.
Identify 2 distraction coping mechanisms
-doing a puzzle
-reading a book
-listening to music
-watching a movie
A coping skill that involves moving the your body to release natural endorphins
Physical activity/ exercise
Why might someone use an unhealthy coping skill?
it provides a quick fix in the moment
Someone is up in your face yelling.. how can you deal with this situation in a healthy and safe way?
walk away, take a break, disengage from the person, talk to someone who wasn't involved...
-meditation
-yoga
-deep breathing exercises
What do coping skills help us with?
Healthy coping skills help us work through and process our emotions so that we can reduce the effect that stressors have in our lives
What is one negative coping skill you'd like to let go of? What could you replace it with?
Answers will vary depending on person
You are feeling very anxious. What are 2 healthy coping mechanisms you could use to manage anxiety?
answers could include:
-yoga
-deep breathing
-meditation
-journaling
What is opposite action coping mechanism? Identify 1 example
-Doing something that is the opposite of your impulse and is a more positive emotion
-Examples: reading affirmations or inspirational quotes, watch something funny
Why is it important to identify your feelings to help you cope with a difficult situation?
Identifying your feelings is important so you can utilize coping skills that will help you deal with that feeling when faced similar situations in the future.
How can using unhealthy coping skill negatively affect your life?
When we use an unhealthy coping skill we can hurt ourselves, hurt others, cause more problems that we have to deal with, etc.
Sarah is angry at a coworker who never completes their work. Rather than discussing her feelings with her coworker, she avoids confrontation and continues to feel angry. Sarah manages her anger by drinking alcohol. What is a healthy coping strategy that Sarah could use instead?
answers will vary
Identify 1 coping mechanism using each of your senses
touch, hear, see, taste, smell
Touch: stress ball, stuffed animal
Hear: music, meditation guide
See: happy pictures, movie
Taste: mints, tea
Smell: essential oils, lotion, candles