101 Coping Skills

101 coping skills

This post is not meant to diagnose, treat, or save you from mental illness, if you or someone you love is in danger, please get help. You can text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a crisis counselor. I personally have. You can also call or text 988 for suicide and crisis help.

http://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts

First of all there are many more coping skills out there. Some are healthy and some are not. Here is a list of different coping skills you can try to break you out of those negative emotions, kill time, or begin doing thinks that may make you and your body feel good. A few things to remember is that these coping skills work differently for everyone; some may trigger some and work well for others. Start by picking the ones that stand out to you most, the ones that spark curiosity or joy. Each coping skill will work differently depending on your mood.

Keep trying the coping skills, just because you tried something once and it didn’t make you better, doesn’t mean the coping skill did not work. First of all, it kept you alive. Second of all, it takes time for your brain to learn the new pathways to chose; it takes practice. Overtime, you will begin to automatically pick the coping skill that works for you all on your own. For example, I know when I am feeling super sad, defeated, and irritable, it is time for me to try to take a nap or at least close my eyes for a few minutes. Now, I include napping in my daily planning because I know how badly I need it. I blog when I am restless or inspired. It keeps my hands busy so I don’t vape. Find what works for you, try one at a time; baby steps!

1. Take deep breaths
2. Do a positive activity
3. Play a sport or something sport related
4. Think of something funny
5. Take a quick walk
6. Practice yoga or just stretch like gym class taught you
7. Stand up touch your toes and sit back down- do this five times
8. Listen to music
9. Take a time out and reflect
10. Slowly count to 10 and then back down to 1
11. Clean something
12. Meditate- YouTube has guided videos
13. Use a stress ball
14. Dance
15. Write a letter
16. Look at pictures you have taken
17. Make a gratitude list
18. List your positive qualities
19. Plan your dream room
20. Give someone a hug
21. Walk your dog
22. Drink cold water
23. Read a magazine
24. Write a thank you note
25. Count to 100
26. Make a list for the future
27. Read inspirational quotes
28. Create a blog or write a short story
29. Paint your emotions
30. Ask for a break
31. Listen to nature sounds
32. Do your homework
33. Make a list of choices
34. Ask someone for help
35. Organize something
36. Play a card game
37. Use positive self talk
38. Say something kind to and about yourself
39. Talk to a friend
40. Talk to a counselor
41. Close your eyes and imagine relaxing
42. Say “I can do this”
43. Visualize your favorite place
44. Think of something happy
45. Think of a pet you love
46. Think about someone you love
47. Put a puzzle together
48. Do something you love
49. Build something
50. Play with clay
51. Hug a stuffed animal
52. Listen to your favorite song
53. Play an instument
54. Cry it out
55. Take pictures
56. Garden or start some seeds in a small cup
57. Laugh, force it if you have to
58. Punch a pillow or the mattress
59. Bounce a ball 100 times
60. Organize your closet
61. Call an old friend or relative
62. Focus on an object
63. Notice 5 things you can see
64. Lay in the grass and look up at the sky
65. Use a relaxation app
66. Paint your nails or do a YouTube makeup tutorial
67. Take a nap
68. Eat a healthy snack
69. Try some aromatherapy
70. Set a goal and plan a few steps to get there
71. Jog in place for short spurts
72. Journal- this can be writing or doodling
73. Draw random shapes on paper
74. Cut strips of paper
75. Hum your favorite song
76. Color a coloing page
77. Write a list
78. Exercise/ go to the gym
79. Listen to music with no lyrics
80. Sit outside
81. Write a positive note to yourself
82. Seek out the company of others
83. Hug a pillow to your chest
84. Do a craft
85. Bake something
86. Take a hot shower
87. Drink some hot tea
88. Make a music playlist
89. Plan a fun trip
90. Sing along to karaoke versions of your fav songs
91. Identify your emotions
92. Express your feelings to someone
93. Write down 5 feelings & give yourself one minute to reflect on each
94. Play a board game- ghost hand if you need to or use an app.
95. Schedule the day, and upcoming day, or your perfect kind of day
96. Write a poem using positive attributes for each letter of your name
97. Rub your temples
98. Ask yourself “What do I need right now?’
99. Explore what you are feeling physically
100. Go sit at the library
101. Make a list of coping skills you like and that may work for you!

-A Manic Monday