Unfortunately, everyone experiences times of great difficulty and stress at some point in their lives. It is important now more than ever to ensure that you are taking care of yourself properly. You need to have the right tools and resources on hand to get you through those tough times and to help you get back to living your best life.
A list of coping skills, or techniques that you can use when times are hard can be a great tool to have. You could also try other tools like an emergency self-care kit, and you could even print this list and have it inside your kit just in case feel you need it.
What is a coping skill?
A coping skill is a broad term that gets thrown around loosely, but it basically any activity that is good for your mental health or mental self-care.
Basically, any healthy habit or activity that can distract you or help to reduce stress could be considered a coping skill.
Why do we need coping skills?
Coping skills can help us to lower our expectations, process or release difficult emotions, practice positive self-care techniques, engage in problem-solving, and distance or distract ourselves from the cause of stress, until a time we are better equipped to handle what we may be going through.
Sometimes we aren’t yet ready to process our feelings and emotions and it may be easier to distract ourselves with something else.
In times of immense stress, it can be good to keep a list like this on hand for the times that you can’t think clearly and may really need it.
List of coping skills
- Go for a walk
- Meditate
- Write in your journal
- Read a book
- Be kind to yourself
- Breathing exercises
- Eat a healthy snack or meal
- Take a mental health day off from work
- Practice mindfulness
- Go for a run
- Listen to music
- Talk to a friend
- Use a face mask
- Garden
- Watch a funny movie
- Take a nap
- Try a digital detox
- Do something nice for someone else
- Go to the gym
- Play an instrument
- Listen to a podcast
- Bake something
- Spend an entire day doing self-care activities
- Paint something
- Go to the beach
- Write a story
- Soak in the sun
- Listen to soothing sounds
- Close your eyes and visualize your favorite place
- Stretch
- Go to therapy
- De-clutter your space
- Take a bubble bath
- Do something creative
- Practice gratitude
- Spend time with family
- Use your five senses
- Go for a swim
- Cuddle a pet
- Drink water
- Exercise at home
- Think of something happy
- Do your nails, hair, or spend time on your makeup
- Try an adult coloring book
- Try affirmations
- Use positive self-talk
- Write a letter
- Doodle
- Do a puzzle, or play a board game
- Slow down
- Write down a list of everything that is causing you stress or anxiety and then discard it, or burn the list
- Eat outside (picnic or on a bench or picnic table)
- Watch funny videos online
- Make a pile of things to donate
- Do yoga
- Spend quality time with a partner
- Take pictures of things you love
- Make a vision board
- Set a new goal
- Pay someone else a compliment
- Reorganize an area of your home
- Attempt a new recipe
- Play sports
- Go see a movie
- Vent to someone
- Distract yourself
- Organize a bookshelf
- Create a new list of positive affirmations
- Scroll through Pinterest and pin all sorts of new things you want to try, and new ideas
- Do a crossword or word search
- Use a stress ball
- Sing some of your favorite songs
- Make a list of all the good things in your life
- Go for a bike ride
- Try a new hobby
- Spend some time doing nothing
- Create a new playlist
- Look at your favorite pictures
- Play video games
- Crochet/ Knit/ Sew
- Process your feelings
- Read inspirational quotes
- Go for a drive
- Dance around the house
- Go to the park
Remember, coping skills are not meant to be a permanent solution to a problem. They are simply something to help us through a difficult moment until we are better equipped to handle or deal with our problems.
Are there any coping skills that I missed on the list that you enjoy and find really help you?
Let me know!
