Coping Skills
Name at least one coping skill you use regularly.
What is : YOUR ANSWER
Why is it helpful to identify and plan ahead for triggers?
What is : Examples include feeling more prepared, avoiding "freezing" in the moment
Coping skills don't work, because I've tried them before and don't feel better.
**What is: MYTH
What is : Coping skills take time and practice to be effective. Practicing coping strategies can have a positive cumulative effect.
Obsessive thoughts
What is:
Worry time, identifying what you can and cannot control, challenge all-or-nothing thoughts
Crying
What is: HEALTHY
Some of the benefits of using coping skills are...
**What is : Reduced stress/anxiety/depression, improved self-esteem, increased resilience, decreases side effects of stress
What are some ways you can plan ahead for triggers?
What is: Examples including planning ahead, avoiding situations with common triggers, or asking for support
If humans aren't happy all the time, something is wrong with them.
What is: Myth
SADNESS
What is:
Say your feeling, journal, eat something spicy or sour, talk about your feelings, do something kind for another person.
Yelling or hitting
What is: Unhealthy coping skills. Wait until you are calm (Breathe/Count to 10 and calm down) and then use "I" messages when calm.
Coping skills make me look stupid. Do I have to use them?
What is: You already use coping skills all the time. the only question is if they are healthy or unhealthy.
We all have to learn different ways of managing difficult situations!
What is a trigger?
**What is : A situation, memory, or object that causes an intense emotional reaction.
One or two ways of coping is enough.
What is: MYTH
It's good to have a tool box full of tools to help with different types of problems.
Anxiety
What is:
Deep breathing, meditation, journaling, grounding exercises
PLAYING ON MY PHONE
What makes a coping skill unhealthy?
What is: When they don't address underlying problems, make the situation worse, or suppress emotions. (addictive, running away from the problem, etc)
If we don't like a trigger, we can just ignore it and it will eventually go away.
**What is: FALSE
It's ok to just ignore feelings I don't like.
What is: Myth! Our body is telling us important things through our emotions.
Depression
**What is:
Staying connected with others, doing the opposite of what you feel, challenging negative thoughts, practicing self-compassion
VIDEO GAMES
WHAT IS: IT DEPENDS
Give an example of unhealthy coping skills.
What is: Anything we use to avoid dealing with our emotions or the problem- overuse of computer games, fighting, unhealthy relationships, substances, over-eating or over-exercising.
True or false: You should always avoid things that are triggering.
What is: FALSE
Sometimes triggers are unavoidable, and we can learn how to cope.
What could your body be saying to you if you are feeling sad?
What is: It could be that your body is telling you that you lost something important to you and you need to slow down and regroup.
Big emotions
What is: Examples-
Opposite action, "ride the wave" self-care, radical acceptance
Exercise
**WHAT IS: IT DEPENDS