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What You Need to Know About Coping Skills

 

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What You Need to Know About Coping Skills

  • It takes time to develop ​really good coping skills. For instance, your first list of coping skills might contain walking, listening to music, watching a movie, talking to a friend, and writing. Over time, you might find that listening to music and writing are the best coping skills, and you hate the idea of talking to a friend. Keep revising your list until you get it just right.
  • Be patient! The first time you decide to go for a walk might not feel right. You might come back from the walk and think, “That was supposed to help?” If you’re not used to using coping skills, give each coping skill a chance. Try them a few times. Some of them grow on you and really help in the end.
  • Sometimes you have to jump from one coping skill to another. For example, your most effective coping skill might be playing video games, but you don’t want to grow roots in front of the screen. Get up after a while and go for a jog or clean your room – get your blood flowing.
  • Are coping skills effective 100% of the time? No, nothing is. There are going to be days when it feels like nothing works. Keep trying those coping skills anyway, though, and try to reach out to a supportive person for extra help if you feel like all your coping skills are letting you down.
  • Do coping skills make everything better? Occasionally your coping skills will lift your spirits very admirably. Sometimes, though, you may only feel 50% better or even just 25% better. But that’s still better! If you wallow, you tend to prolong your emotional pain and feel worse. Don’t give up and wallow!
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You don't have to face your problems alone!

Counselors are standing by.

Ways to Get Help