Coping Skill Basics
These are things people do to manage stress, emotions, or difficult situations.
Coping skills
Name one healthy coping skill someone could use when feeling stressed
Examples: deep breathing, walking, music, journaling, talking with someone, grounding
What are examples of unhealthy coping skills?
Hitting someone or something, denial, isolation, all or nothing thinking, blaming
A young lion must return home and take his place as king.
The Lion King
You become frustrated during a disagreement and notice yourself getting more upset. What could you do before responding?
Examples: pause, breathe, step away if appropriate, ground yourself.
What do we call coping skills that may feel helpful at first but can cause problems later?
unhelpful or maldapative coping skills
This skill involves slowly inhaling and exhaling while paying attention to your breath
What is deep breathing?
True or false: A coping strategy can help in the moment but still create problems later
True
A woman with magical ice powers accidentally sends her kingdom into winter
Frozen
You have had a rough day and notice yourself focusing only on what went wrong. You decide to write down three things that went well or that you appreciate. What coping strategy are you using?
gratitude
Paying attention to what you can see, hear, feel, smell, or taste is an example of this kind of coping strategy
grounding
Breaking a large problem into smaller manageable steps is an example of what kind of coping?
What is problem-solving?
If a coping strategy repeatedly causes harm or interferes with recovery, what might be helpful to do
Identify and practice safer or more effective alternatives and seek support when needed.
A teenager accidentally travels back in time in a car built by an eccentric scientist.
Back To The Future
You are feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, so you write down what happened, how you felt, and what you are thinking about it. What coping strategy are you using?
Journaling
This coping skill involves being present in the moment and noticing your thoughts, feelings, or surroundings without immediately reacting to them.
mindfulness
This coping skill involves intentionally focusing your attention to help calm the mind, increase awareness, or reduce stress.
meditation
Why are negative coping skills unhealthy?
Because they only bring short term relief and in the long term are harmful
A wealthy man secretly fights crime in Gotham City.
Batman
You think, “I always mess everything up,” and decide to look for examples of times when that statement was not true. What coping strategy are you using?
examining the evidence
A plan that identifies warning signs, helpful coping strategies, and people or resources for support can be called what?
What is a coping plan / symptom-management plan/ or safety plan
Activity challenge: Demonstrate or describe one coping skill the group could practice together right now.
Answer: Accept appropriate demonstrated skills such as breathing, grounding, stretching, positive coping statement, etc.
Thinking about a situation in extremes, such as “I either succeed completely or I failed,” is called what?
All-or-nothing thinking or black or white thinking
A woman dreams of leaving Kansas and travels to a magical land after a tornado.
The Wizard of Oz
You notice you are starting to isolate, sleep poorly, and feel more irritable than usual. What could these changes represent, and what could you do
Possible warning signs; use coping strategies and reach out for support.