Healthy Coping Skills
What is coping skills?
methods or strategies we use to manage feelings and handle stress
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger.
Coping skills are only used to help you relax. Why or why not?
False,
Managing your stress, anxiety, and/or depression is not always relaxing. exercise is a great healthy coping skill and is not necessarily relaxing although it results in the relief of negative symptoms.
You are sitting in class working and notice someone is tapping their pencil really loud.
Yes!
Why are coping skills helpful?
They help you overcome anxiety, depression, anger, etc. and help you live a healthier life.
What is a healthy coping skill that can help you relax?
going on the beach, praying, watching a movie, deep breathing, going on a walk,etc.
What is an unhealthy coping skill you could replace with a healthy coping skill?
Isolating replace with talking with a trusted person
Negative self talk replace with postive self talk, etc
A helpful way to stop negative feelings is to distract yourself with coping skills.
False
You just finished a test that was draining and more difficult than you expected.
Yes!
Who can benefit from using coping skills? AND When should they be used?
Everyone! All the time!
What can you do when you are overwhelmed with school work?
ask for help, take a break, use a healthy coping skill
What is an unhealthy coping skill you use or have used in the past?
yelling, fighting, breaking stuff, etc.
Coping skills are only needed when you're struggling with negative emotions.
False
Your little brother is running around and unplugs the video game by accident while you are in the middle of a game.
Yes!
What is the difference between an unhealthy coping skill and a healthy coping skill? Extra points for examples of each!
They are both coping skills and therefore alleviate your negative feelings, however, the difference is...
Unhealthy Coping Skills only help to relieve your depression, anxiety, or stress while you're doing it or for the short term and may have negative impacts if used too often. (examples- substance use, overeating, bullying or harming others, or too much screen time.)
Healthy Coping Skills help relieve your depression, anxiety, or stress for the longer time and may have long-term benefits. (examples- exercise, finding hobbies and interests, being outside, walking, communicating your feelings to yourself and others, mindfulness practices.), having a positive mindset
What is a healthy coping skill to use when you're feeling lonely and isolated especially in these pandemic times?
praying, chat with friends, sports, volunteer, positive self talk, doing things you enjoy, getting outside, etc.
What is stress?
Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure.
Any type of activity that brings change to your normal daily living, and causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Everyone experiences stress at some time.
It's important to have lots of coping tools in your "toolbox" to pull from.
True- its great to have different skills for different situations
Summer break is coming to an end and you're feeling anxious about school starting back up.
Yes!
what makes something a "coping skill?"
something that brings you joy or helps you in a difficult situation. Remember not every coping skill is healthy!
What is a mindfulness practice that can help you calm your body and mind?
deep breaths, praying and meditation, reading the bible, body scans, etc.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test, or taking the covid 19 vaccine, or going for a job interview, etc.
It is important to not use unhealthy coping skills
True
You don't have anxiety or depression and things are going really well for you right now.
Yes!
What are the 4 categories of coping skills or self-care?
1) Before- coping skills to help you prepare for or prevent negative feelings (ex. grounding tools, breathing, identifying potential triggers)
2) During- coping skills to help you regulate your emotions while you are experiencing something that triggers your negative emotions (ex. breathing, drinking water, taking breaks, walking)
3) Right After- coping skills that help you to calm down or regulate after you have experienced something that triggers you (ex. physical movement, grounding tools, body scans, mindfulness practices, talking to a support person, music)
4) Ongoing/Regular- coping skills or self-care practices that help you to relax and regulate your emotions long-term (ex. meaningful activities that you enjoy, spending time with your support people, having time to yourself, sleeping well, exercise, mindfulness practices)