Coping Skills in Daily Life
True or false: coping skills are only needed when you are struggling
False!
Sensory coping skills might also be called...
What are self-soothing strategies?
This type of coping skill involves taking your mind off the problem for a while
What is distraction?
A form of deep mindful thinking and breathwork
Meditation
Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a notebook is called this
What is journaling?
When should you practice coping skills?
All the time! Practice will help create habits; if coping skills are not practiced, they are unlikely to help when you are experiencing strong thoughts or emotions
When feeling anxious, tense, manic, fearful, or overwhelmed, what would be more helpful: calming or alerting sensory inputs?
Calming
These types of coping skills utilize tools for identifying and expressing feelings
What is emotional awareness or emotional regulation?
Making a list of the things you are grateful for on a regular basis
What is gratitude journaling?
A form of mindful movement that utilizes breathwork and meditative practice
What is yoga?
What are some barriers to using coping skills?
Building skill mastery, intensity of crisis, or level of motivation
When feeling sad, hopeless, lethargic, or withdrawn, what would be more helpful: calming or alerting sensory inputs?
Alerting
What is an example of using opposite action as a coping skill?
Funny videos when sad, listening to happy music when angry, or getting out of bed instead of isolating, etc
This strategy uses essential oils or other smells to promote emotional regulation and stress reduction
What is aromatherapy?
Activities like art, writing, poetry, music, or other forms of self-expression utilize ________ as a coping skill
What is creativity?
How long does it take to form a new habit?
66 days
What is the difference between calming and alerting sensory inputs?
Self-soothing coping skills include strategies that you can use to comfort yourself through the body’s ______ (#) sensory systems
7
*BONUS FOR ALL PLAYERS* What is one coping skill you have used before and how was it effective?
:)
This stress-relieving breathing technique involves breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth (like blowing out a candle)
What is diaphragmatic breathing?
When are coping skills not enough?
When you are at peak dysregulation and need to implement your crisis or safety plan
Name the sensory systems that can be used for sensory modulation
Sight, smell, hear, touch, taste, vestibular, proprioception
What is included in a safety or crisis plan?
Identifying early warning signs or triggers; a list of activities and tasks that make you feel well; identifying resources and a support system for when coping skills aren’t enough
Exercising is a popular coping skill that provides sensory input to your ___________ and ________ sensory systems
What are vestibular and proprioceptive sensory systems?
*BONUS FOR ALL PLAYERS* What is one coping skill you haven’t tried but want to start practicing?
:)