Coping Skills
Coping skills are tools that people use to help improve their emotional state and can be tailored to each individual. The key is figuring out a unique list of
coping skills that work for each person. Ideally when one begins to feel stressed, sad, agitated, or angry, coping skills can be implemented to help regulate their
emotions in order to avoid a loss of control. Developing a coping skills list should be done when you are calm and your thoughts are clear. Not all coping skills will
work in all settings, therefore identifying coping skills for each setting would be best (home, school, etc). The following is a list of ideas, but do not limit yourself.
It is best for the individual that will be using the coping skills to be a part of making the list in order for it to be effective and for them to be invested.
Take long steady deep breaths * Get a drink of water * Splash water on your face * Push on a wall * Take a short walk or do other physical exercise * Think about
a favorite place that feels positive and safe * Tense& relax muscles * Say positive things to yourself * Talk to someone who makes you feel safe * Laugh
* Tell a joke * Write in a journal * Tear /rip up paper * Draw * Ride a bike * Take a nap * Play with play dough * Blow bubbles * Color * Play with your favorite toy
* Listen to music * Call a friend * Sing a song * Play a game * Read * Play favorite sport * Eat a healthy snack * Play with pets * Go to a park * Dance *
Coping skills are tools that people use to help improve their emotional state and can be tailored to each individual. The key is figuring out a unique list of
coping skills that work for each person. Ideally when one begins to feel stressed, sad, agitated, or angry, coping skills can be implemented to help regulate their
emotions in order to avoid a loss of control. Developing a coping skills list should be done when you are calm and your thoughts are clear. Not all coping skills will
work in all settings, therefore identifying coping skills for each setting would be best (home, school, etc). The following is a list of ideas, but do not limit yourself.
It is best for the individual that will be using the coping skills to be a part of making the list in order for it to be effective and for them to be invested.
Take long steady deep breaths * Get a drink of water * Splash water on your face * Push on a wall * Take a short walk or do other physical exercise * Think about
a favorite place that feels positive and safe * Tense& relax muscles * Say positive things to yourself * Talk to someone who makes you feel safe * Laugh
* Tell a joke * Write in a journal * Tear /rip up paper * Draw * Ride a bike * Take a nap * Play with play dough * Blow bubbles * Color * Play with your favorite toy
* Listen to music * Call a friend * Sing a song * Play a game * Read * Play favorite sport * Eat a healthy snack * Play with pets * Go to a park * Dance *
