What is a coping skill?
Coping skills are meant to manage mood symptoms on a short-term basis. Effective coping skills differ from person to person as one coping skill affects individuals differently. Therefore, it is critical to identify the ones that work for you.
First, it’s important to distinguish between positive and negative coping skills.
Examples of positive coping skills are:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Reaching out/Socializing with people
- Meditation
Examples of negative coping skills are:
- Use of substances, such as alcohol or drugs
- Shopping sprees
- Mood related eating
Both positive and negative changes in life can cause us to feel stressed and impact our mood. When we detect negative mood changes in ourselves, that is when to use one’s effective coping skills to help reduce/manage the negative effects in the mood and possible other domino effects on our relationships with others. For example, deep breathing exercise is an evidence-based coping skill, according to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, effective in reducing many negative/unpleasant states of emotions and in grounding ourselves to the present moment that is also related to Mindfulness practice.
During therapy sessions, I will help you find and develop your own effective set of coping skills while working through presenting issues to build positive skills to better manage unpleasant moods and negative coping behaviors.