Coping Skills


Coping Skills in Lexington, Richmond & Frankfort KY


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Coping skills play an important part in our mental wellbeing, they are what we use to respond to life’s problems. Some of our ways of coping can help us move through and past our problems while others can create more stress and obstacles for us. 

Healthy vs Unhealthy Coping skills
Healthy coping skills are emotional, cognitive, and behavioral tactics we implement when met with a problem that allows us to solve the problem or move on from it. We generally feel better and less stressed when we use healthy coping mechanisms. 
 
Some examples of healthy coping skills include:
  • Relaxation techniques: deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle technique 
  • Exercise; dancing, talking a walk, lifting weights 
  • Talking with someone you trust 
  • Engaging in art; drawing, coloring, painting, photography, play an instrument
  • Engaging in a hobby; wood working, sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking 
  • Gardening 
  • Engaging in outdoor activities; hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing 
  • Practicing gratitude 
  • Playing sports 
  • Reading 
  • Journaling 
  • Practicing acceptance 
  • Volunteering 
  • Working a puzzle, crossword, or Sudoko 
  • Going for a drive  
  • Taking hot bath or shower 
  • Get a massage 
  • Listen to music 
  • Set obtainable goals 
Unhealthy coping skills are the opposite and leave us feeling more stressed than before. That’s not to say that we don’t get some relief from them, however it usually only lasts for a moment and the outcomes tend to be more destructive for us in the long run. 

Some examples of unhealthy coping skills include:
  • Cutting, or any other self-harm behavior 
  • Self-pity or self-blame 
  • Harsh self-criticism  
  • Isolation, withdrawing from people you trust 
  • Excessive spending 
  • Gambling  
  • Driving too fast 
  • Controlling behaviors
  • Not eating or eating too much 
  • Obsessing or dwelling 
  • Staying in bed  
  • Denying your feelings 
With any skill we acquire it takes practice, the more you practice the healthy coping skills the better equipped you will be to conquer life’s problems effectively and increase your overall wellbeing. It’s never too late to learn new ways of coping. If you are having trouble letting go of unhealthy coping skills and implementing new ones our caring professionals can help; just give us a call today!

For more information on coping skills check out these great resources:
What is therapy?
Therapy is more long-term than counseling and focuses on a broader range of issues. The underlying principle is that a person's patterns of thinking and unconscious awareness affect the way that person interacts with the world. The goal is to uncover those patterns and become aware of their effect and then learn new, healthier ways to think and interact.
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