Healthy Coping Skills
Name 3 healthy coping skills.
- Read a Book
- Writing/Drawing/Painting
- Listening to Music
- Spending Time with Friends/Family
- Go for a Walk
- Take a deep breath
- Meditation
- Squeeze your muscles
- Imagine a happy place
- Talking to a trusted person
Name one example of an unhealthy coping skill.
- Avoiding asking for help
- Fighting
- Yelling at others
- Hurting others or yourself
- Hurting yourself
- Destroying items
- Staying by yourself and avoiding others
Which of the following is a benefit of using healthy coping skills?
a.) they reduce stress
b.) they allow us to create better relationships
c.) they allow us to have a healthy mind and body
d.) all of the above
d.) all of the above
True or False:
Talking to others about problems in our lives is a healthy coping skill.
TRUE!
Talking to others allows us to share our emotions and problems so that we do not have to go through them alone.
True or false: The only way to show self-love is by giving yourself a hug.
False! There are lots of ways to show your self love. You could eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, speak nicely to yourself, or surround yourself with positive people.
Name one anger management technique
deep breathing
squeezing your muscles
jumping jacks
going for a walk
squeezing pillows
screaming into a pillow
talk about your feelings
drawing
riding your bike
Which of the coping skills below are unhealthy.
- Getting Fresh Air
- Talking to a Trusted Friend/Adult
- Destroying Property
- Scratching or hitting yourself
- Exercising
- Playing Sports
- Pushing someone
- Yelling at someone you don't like
True or false: Ignoring all your problems is a good way to deal with problems.
False: Ignoring all your problems will not help you to fix them and the problems can grow and get worse over time.
What are some good things that you have experienced by using healthy coping skills?
- Feeling more relaxed
- Can think more clearly,
- Solve more of my problems
- Have better relationships with others
- I can think before I act more
- I get in less trouble
- I feel happier
True or False:
Every coping skill is healthy.
FALSE!
Some ways that we learn to cope are not healthy for us! (ex: fighting, eating too much, running from problems, etc.)
Why is self love important?
Loving yourself leads to better self esteem, more relationship satisfaction, better coping skills
True or False: Anger is a bad emotion that we should never have.
False
Anger is not a bad emotion, but sometimes how we show our anger can be a poor choice.
Anger is an emotion that communicates when something has happened that we don't like and that's ok. Its not ok to hurt others or ourselves because we are angry.
Healthy coping skills help us:
a.) Deal with stress in a healthy way
b.) Work through our emotions
c.) Have good relationships with other people
d.) All of the above
d.) All of the above
Using healthy coping skills allow us to take a minute and process what is happening with our emotions, stressors, thoughts, and problems. This helps us to keep good relationships with others.
How can unhealthy coping skills cause problems in your life?
Unhealthy Coping Skill: Hurt Ourselves, Hurt Others, Creates More Stress, Lose Friendships, Get in Trouble at School, Get in Trouble at Home
True or false: Exercise is a great coping skill that is good for your mind and body.
True! Exercise helps to keep your body healthy and strong. It also releases something called endorphins in the body which are "happy hormones" and can make you feel better.
True or False:
Coping skills are used to avoid problems in our lives.
FALSE!
Coping skills help us work through our problems and emotions. You do not want to avoid these! Avoiding is considered an unhealthy coping skill.
Is positive "self-talk" a way to show yourself love?
Yes. Just like we speak nicely to our family and friends that we love, we should say kind words to our self to show that we love ourselves.
Can you name two triggers for anger?
being left out
being told no
being embarrassed
losing a game
waiting your turn
hard school work
Describe mindfulness.
Mindfulness is when you center yourself in the present moment. It can be done through meditation, relaxation exercises, or just simply slowing down and taking notice of things that are currently around you.
John has a lot of stress from school. When he gets home, he yells at his brothers to get his frustration out. Is this a healthy coping skill and why or why not?
No!
Talking with someone is a great coping skill. However, yelling is unhealthy and it may cause issues in our relationships.
What coping skills can be used to reduce stress? Name three.
- meditation
- talking with someone
- breathing exercises
- exercise
- mindfulness
- yoga
True or False:
Coping skills help you focus on the important things in your life.
TRUE!
When we can cope with problems in our lives, it is easier to focus on everything else that is important to us!
Tell me one positive affirmation or positive "self-talk" statement.
I can do good things.
Everyday is a new day to make better choices.
I deserve love.
Mistakes show I am trying.
I can do hard things.
Anger Scenario
When Bryan gets told no in school, he will shut down and not do his work. Can you think of a better choice to make to deal with his anger?
take a deep breath
take a break and come back to his work
talk about his feelings to an adult he trusts
Name three things that you can journal about.
- Your Feelings (sad, happy, mad, motivated, etc.)
- Thoughts
- Favorite Activities
- Dreams
- Future Events
Suzie gets in to a fight with her mom. She asks to leave the situation and go for a walk to calm down. When she calms down, she comes back to her mother and talk out the problem with her. Is this a healthy coping skill?
Yes!
Going on a walk and leaving the situation is a great way to reduce stress and calm down. Its also good to come back to fix the problem.
What do coping skills help us with?
Coping skills help us work through and process our emotions so that we can reduce the effect that stressors have on our lives.
True or False:
Coping skills are not important to your well-being.
FALSE!
Coping skills create a sense of calmness, confidence, and inner-peace. They are important for your overall health.
Tell me 2 ways you can practice self love/self care?
singing or listening to music i like
taking a nice shower or bath
read a book
talk to a friend
play a video game
giving to others
When do you think it is ok to hit or throw something when you are angry?
if you have to defend your life
if you have to defend someone you love from danger