Expand your Toolbox of Coping Skills!

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Stress can get us at any time! It's up to our unique set of coping skills how we handle it. 

Having effective coping skills can help us:

  • feel more in control of the situation
  • reduce the risk of stress related consequences, like loss of sleep, indigestion, high blood pressure, or irritability 
  • better support those around us when times are stressful for everyone
  • recover from stressful situations faster

For your coping skills to work at their best, 
  1. Identify what activities work best for you BEFORE you are stressed
  2. Practice them when you are NOT stressed
Which of these have you tried?
Which work, and which don't really do it for you?
Which of them do you want to experiment with next?



  • Cardio Exercise - get your heart pumpin' and sweat it out! 
    • Talk a walk or jog, hop on your bike, or sign yourself up for a cardio dance class (or find one on Youtube). Your endorphins will fire up and you'll feel awesome.

  • Resistance Exercise - fire up those muscles
    • Get to the gym, grab your home set of dumbbells and resistance bands, or find a bodyweight workout. Focusing on mind-to-muscle can help you be fully present and not worry about past or future stressors. The powerful feeling that comes from engaging your muscles can't be beat!

  • Mindful Movement
    • A yoga session, a peaceful walk through nature, or simply carving out some time to luxuriously stretch can relieve tension you carry in your body when stressed

  • Mindful Stillness
    • Silent meditation, guided imagery, or just mindfully enjoying a steaming beverage bring you into the present moment. When you're fully focused on something, there's no room to worry about the past or fret about the future. 

  • Nourish to Nurture
    • Mindfully simmer a comforting dinner on the stove. The act of lovingly preparing something that will nourish your body is soothing, and at the end you have a delicious meal! To support your body in times of stress, include some healthy fats (seafood, nuts, olive oil, or avocado) and lots of bright colors from fruits and veggies!

  • Phone a Friend
    • Social connections are important for both introverts and extroverts! No matter how you identify, we humans are pack animals. We find safety in community, which makes healthy  relationships essential for stress management.

  • Nature Immersion
    • Whether it's hiking in the woods, paddling on a serene lake, or simply sitting and observing the birds in your backyard, nature does something magical to our nervous systems. 

  • Happy Hobbies
    • Find what makes you happy, and find time to include it! Arts and crafts, gardening, baking, reading, writing, playing or listening to music, and even home improvement projects can increase our happiness and reduce our stress.
In addition to these comforting practices, we all benefit from:
  • keeping a regular sleep pattern
  • avoiding using alcohol to numb our feelings and stress
  • limiting news and social media
  • seeking additional support from a counselor or therapist when necessary 

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