11 Apr Just stop it. Deal with it.
Coping skills…I was talking about coping skills on Facebook today and someone asked for me to post the list I was referring to.
Do you know what a coping skill is? It sounds so “clinical” …but it is really just a fancy way of saying handling and managing life’s stressors.
Life gets busy and overwhelming sometimes. It’s easier to not take care of ourselves and our emotional needs than it is to take care of us.
“It’s common to reject or punish yourself when you’ve been rejected by others. When you experience disappointment from the way your family or others treat you, that’s the time to take special care of yourself. What are you doing to nurture yourself? What are you doing to protect yourself? Find a healthy way to express your pain.”
{Christina Enevoldsen}
We are quick to neglect ourselves…
…so if this advice doesn’t work so well for you…then maybe the following list will:
[This list was originally composed for addicts in recovery. I am going to leave those skills specific to that population for the lovies in recovery and add some of my own for fun.]
1. Meditate (Don’t make it more complicated than it is…read this for some tips on beginning a meditation practice.)
3. Grounding (Helps you stay focused on the present without being overwhelmed by emotion. Tips here.)
4. Practice Gratitude (Easy: Say thank you.)
5. Pray
6. Stay Busy/Distract Yourself (Great until you begin avoid emotions entirely. Careful there.)
7. Walk Away (If you can…leave overwhelming, anxiety-provoking situations)
8. Journal (Write it all out. It is helpful.)
9. Take a Nap (Put a limit on it though. 60 minutes max.)
10. Soak up Nature (Wind. Air. Trees. Birds. Rain. Flowers. All are food for the soul.)
11. Exercise (Yoga, Go for a Run, Play Basketball…endorphins are great friends.)
12. Speak Kindly to Yourself (You are wonderful and awesome. Say it. Out loud.)
13. Music (Calms the nerves. Use common sense. Stay away from rap. Don’t amp up on adrenaline rock music when you’re anxious and overwhelmed.)
14. Find a Friend–Seek Refuge
15. Set Healthy Boundaries–It’s easier to handle life when you’re not feeling continually threatened or taken advantage of.)
16. Ask For Help (Simple as that.)
17. Read Inspirational Quotes (I can sit on goodreads.com all day long. There is ample wisdom to be found, friends.)
18. Art Therapy (i.e. Coloring! It is not just for children.)
19. Take a Bath/Shower.
20. Take Time to Cry.
21. Have a Cup of Hot Tea (Warms the Body/Warms the Soul).
22. Go For A Walk (A slow walk.)
23. Catch It. Check It. Change It. (We do not have control over our automatic thoughts, the first though. We do have control over the second. Make note of what it is you’re ruminating on. Check with truth/reality. And then change it to fit truth and reality).
24. Tell on It (Say it. Whatever it is that is bothering you…say it (to someone you trust in a safe environment). It’s the quickest way to alleviate shame.)
25. Play the Tape (…all the way through…specifically for addicts of any variety or anyone wanting to begin an unhealthy pattern of behavior again [a bad relationship, smoking, play “the grass is always greener game”…whatever thought or behavior you are romanticizing play that thought all the way through. What was it like before/during/after the good part you’re holding on to in this moment?)
26. If you work a 12-step program of any variety: Call your sponsor. If you don’t have any idea what I’m talking about –> Phone A Friend
27. Read (Recovery) Healthy Literature (The Bible, articles pertaining to your struggle…whatever it is seek out wisdom and truth.)
28. Snuggle with a furry friend (I prefer pups but others prefer the meowing type too).
29. Find a hug (Oxytocin is released through touch. It is good for you…when in healthy relationships.)
30. Have A Dance Party (My favorite)
31. Have a Hoola-Hooping Contest (Read: PLAY)
What do you think? Think these are good coping skills?
Are there any you would add to my list?
“The primary thing that people are going to try to take away from you— is the purity of your happiness. Rare is it to find in someone a pure happiness. A happiness so innocent, so spontaneous and so raw… it is the way we are born but it is most often not the way that we die. The world comes in and tries to take that away from you. People come in and try to take that away from you. I have learned not to jump into the pigsty with them. You have to protect the purity of your happiness and the innocence of your joy. People WILL try to take it away. Don’t go there, don’t let them. Keep what is yours.”
{C. JoyBell C.}
Happy Friday, loves. Play on.
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