Coping Cards
Hello, everyone! Today, Id like to talk about coping cards in specific relation to self-harm: what are they and how to make one of your own. Coping cards can help us prepare for when our urges arise, and what we can do aside from acting on them. Our thoughts impact our feelings, which in turn impacts how we act. Coping cards aim to reduce the cycle by providing an extra barrier to us acting on the urge.

Everyones coping card will be different, with what helps you. Ill use my own one as an example. I will identify that my thought spiral has started, then try to make a positive statement such as Its not as bad as I think it is right now. That helps me to calm down, in which after, Ill take action against the urge. Ill do something else to distract myself, such as Netflix or simply moving to a safe space. Lastly, Id say positive self-statements such as Im not as bad as I think I am right now. This helps to change my thought pattern from judging and criticising myself to being a little kinder on myself, knowing why Im thinking what Im thinking.
You can put anything that could help you on your coping card. As the card is primarily used for when youre in the moment of the urge, you could try to figure out what words and actions would help you. For some, it is identifying the feeling, and why you feel that way. For some others, its positive coping statements or mindful statements that help most. A good example would be this I found from a website* online
Another type of coping statement is changing your negative thoughts into more manageable ones. I cant do this into This is uncomfortable, but I can handle this by taking it one step at a time. It could be helpful for some to put down grounding and breathing techniques, or to identify how youre physically feeling and being accepting that it is a part of your self-harm urge.

Personally, Id recommend index cards or smaller as your coping card. This means that it is easily transportable and can be on you at all times. Sometimes, you wont know when or where the urges come, and it can be really helpful to have the coping card on hand during those crises. When were in the moment, it can be incredibly difficult to remember what to do and what to say, so that is the purpose of coping cards! I hope this post has helped give ideas and actionable steps towards making your own coping card! Remember, everybodys card will be different. You will find your own style.
Do you have a coping card of your own that you'd like to show? We'd love to see it- just post below!
* Original website: here
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@rebecca947
Love this activity! My card (and ignore my tiny hand smh):

@RiverHudson1
You're welcome, Zebrasarcastic.
Joke aside, I like that!
@RiverHudson1
Wow, I love it! The writing is 😍 (not that that's the most important on the card 🤣). And I love how true to yourself you are, yet also kinda jokingly said. I'll probably post mine later!
@rebecca947 I look forward to seeing yours, and thanks!
I will work on it. For me it's normally been a conscious decision to do so. Not the sudden urge or something overwhelming. But I still will work on it.
@Flornhope
Self-harm is different for everyone, and if you don't think this idea will work in your case, it's totally ok! ❤️
@rebecca947 It is at least a good exercise. And doing it I have been thinking. If I want something or need to do something I often have no care for myself or wellbeing to achieve my goal. Which has directly led to injuries on several occasions. So that's no good. Mine says I am done neglecting and stealing from my tomorrow. I figure it covers several things I'm working on.
@Flornhope
Definitely a good exercise, and I love what yours says! Such a good quote and a good reminder to self every time we have the urges.
@rebecca947 And it is a reminder to look and plan for the future. Something I haven't been good at. I never expected to live have this long. And I lived accordingly. Something that I don't recommend to anyone. You do and live very differently not in a health way.
Here's my coping card ❤️ Not tailored to a specific thing, just general mood.
https://imgur.com/a/rm4ggjS
@rebecca947 Love it!
@rebecca947
Netflix on tv i definitely agree 😂