Simple but Effective Coping Skills
Take deep breaths!
Listen to music
Take a walk
Watch a movie or funny cat video
Play a board or card game
Write down what you are thankful for (keep adding to it / reading it often)
Pet or adopt an animal
Take a hot bath
Go swimming or take a bike ride
Create some art (coloring books count)
Read a book or article
Write down a few of your positive qualities
Find humor in every-day moments
Make quality time for those that matter most to you
Follow a new recipe or improvise
Make a new friend
Call, visit or write friends or family
Be patient and non-critical of yourself (and others)
Dream about the future / Create a path-to-happiness plan
Learn lessons from the experiences of yourself and others
Face your fears / obstacles / challenges
Look up! (Find faith, humility, hope and strength)
Do something kind for someone else (and continue this regularly)...be a blessing
Take or teach a community class on anything (to improve finances, writing, https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/3092587/homeowner-101-livestream, https://www.homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop, etc)
Write or type into a journal
Freestyle dance or take a dance class
Get a penpal! Snail mail is fun to receive (or online options @ penpalworld.com)
Ask this counselor for a free 33-page Couple's Workbook from prepare-enrich.com or request a couple's assessment
Play or watch sports
Watch a cartoon or movie you liked as a child
Think over various solutions (when you are calm)
Learn how to make music
Learn how to swim (more than half of adults in the U.S. do not know and it is a vital life skill)
Let go of toxic relationships where you are not appreciated https://www.openbible.info/topics/divisiveness
Complete free therapy worksheets at www.therapistaid.com (similar to a guided journal)...perfect for a rainy Sunday
Sing your favorite song
Send a thank you note
Journal about what is missing in your life that could improve your quality of life (hint: it's not usually material things)
Find a new hobby (and stick with it)
Be kind to yourself! Talk to yourself like the child version of you is still in there (in other words, practice self-compassion or re-parent yourself)
Add some spontaneity to your life (especially if it has too much routine)
Remind yourself that everything is going to be ok soon
Accept an offered hug
Do home and yard improvements
Share your thoughts and feelings
Make more quality time for your children (time is what all kids want more than anything else...even more than anything of monetary value)
Sit by any body of water as it decreases blood pressure and brings peace
Improve your communication skills (including empathy and listening skills)
Volunteer your time or talents (volunteermatch.org, Church, PTSA, Humane Society, etc)
Give a different person a compliment each day (it will increase your appreciation of humanity by noticing the unique qualities in each person)
Set boundaries where needed
Tell someone that you care or that you are glad they are in your life
Ask for that raise
Take a scenic drive
Plan a low-key get-together (bbq, picnic, potluck, pool party, etc)
Find your purpose
Donate things you don't need that could be weighing you down emotionally without you realizing it...and it feels good to give to others (who may have a need that you do not)
Go to Church (or go back to Church)
Ask someone how they are doing especially if you haven't heard from them in a while (don't wait for them to reach out first)
Take a pottery or art class and don't judge your efforts...it's trying something new that counts more than the end result
Travel somewhere new (or order tourist magazines or brochures for places you'd like to go one day and start planning...even if you have no idea when it will be...the process itself gives optimism)
Determine if you are in the right job or career...https://www.truity.com/test/career-personality-profiler-test ... https://parachutebook.com/ ...ask your counselor for a "mock interview" to prepare for job interviews
Go skating or bowling...something you may not have done since you were a kid
Don't dwell too long on the negatives in your life
Put order and organization where needed in your life
Make a dream board / vision board
Listen to good advice from others
Be honest with yourself...even if it is difficult
Read the Bible
Forgive yourself or someone else
Write a book, screenplay, poem or song
Give yourself permission to be yourself (so many try so hard to 'be cool' for decades: it's better to be authentic and you'll be much happier for it!)
Make a list of your stressors on the left side of the page and what you are doing about each one on the right side of the page
Join a cause or mission that matters to you...if you don't know what matters to you or what you stand for, think or journal about it
Pray...Jesus is always listening and will never abandon you...He knows you best, loves you and wants to hear from you... (He would never consider you 'bothering' Him and is never 'too busy' for you)...life is difficult at times and He wants you to need His kindness and guidance frequently...put Him first and watch everything in your life that is out of place fall into place
Follow the 10 Commandments for healing and eternal life
Ask others to pray for you (or submit your prayers online here or to a 'prayer wall')
Remind yourself you have been through tough times before and survived!
Remind yourself you are stronger than you think you are!
Do not be afraid to ask for help; it takes courage but signifies your strength
Believe that your best days are ahead (because they are)!
Remember that each day is a 'fresh start'...it's never too late to start writing a new chapter of your life story: (What do you hope your life looked and felt like? Be proactive and make things happen! Don't just wait for life to happen to you then react.)
Call 988 if you are in crisis and/or think about what to discuss at your next session
When you are overwhelmed in the moment, it's hard to remember what activities could help you relax. I would be happy to help you or your family find balance and peace. Feel free to reach out for an appointment today.
