Coping skills are basically things you can do to lower your stress before it leads to a panic attack, suicidal thoughts, etc. Before using coping skills you should make a list of your stressors (things that make you stress or upset). Stessors can help you inform yourself of things you do that can hint when you need to use coping skills; for example, shaking your leg, feeling sad, crying, mood change, clenching fists, shutting down, etc. Here are some of the coping skills I learned in treatment. Remember: Not all coping skills work for everyone. You may also have to do multiple coping skills in order to feel better.
- Going to the gym*
- Yoga or pilates*
- Talking to someone you trust
- Deep breathing
- Hot or cold showers
- Listen to music
- Go on the computer*
- Journal
- Sing
- Dance
- Read
- Bake or cook
- Look at the stars
- Listen to the rain
- Watch a movie
- Vent to a friend
- Hold ice
- Meditation
If you have anyother coping skills that you use, feel free to message me and add them to the list.
* = I put a star because these are coping skills that you need to try not to overdue. For people with eating disorders, exercising may be a coping skill you shouldn’t do because a lot of people with EDs tend to over exercise.
I put deep breathing in bold letters because this coping skill will work for everyone. It was scientifically proven to work for everyone over time; therefore, this is a great coping skill.
- Lauren
(Source: thenervousmindoflove)
