You may have heard terms such as self-care, coping skills, relaxation techniques, or even mindfulness. Each of these terms has some overlap but differences as well. Today, let’s focus on coping skills.
So what are coping skills anyway? Coping skills are healthy skills or tools that you can utilize when feeling stressed, anxious, sad, or experiencing challenges.
Some examples of coping skills:
- Exercise
- Meditation or Mindfulness
- Grounding skills
- Journaling, coloring, word searches
- Reading
- Playing with your pet
- Talking to your support system
- Deep breathing
- Music, audio books, favorite show, or movie
These are just a few examples of strategies you can use. You might recognize some skills that you already use and some you might want to try.
I like to use the method of building a toolbox for coping skills. If you picture a toolbox, there are many different tools and each tool is used for various purposes. Hammers can help nail tacks into the wall, wrenches and screwdrivers help with tasks, even a mallet is useful for different things. Each tool is important and has a use, but each tool is not useful for each household task. Just like with coping skills, deep breathing might work when anxious but reading a book might help when sad. I tend to help clients fill their toolbox with effective strategies that they can turn to. Sometimes you might realize deep breathing or mindfulness skills work most of the time, but not always, which is why it helps to have many tools in that box.
So why are these Skills even Important?
Coping skills are important because they help us through tough, challenging times. These tools can help support mental health through better managing thoughts, feelings, and emotions. These tools are beneficial to all of us, no one is immune to self-care needs. If you are able to practice these ongoing (even when nothing is wrong), this is helpful to continue with routine and structure. Next time, let’s focus on healthy vs unhealthy coping skills.
Alexandria Smith, MA, LCPC, NCC