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Coping Cards

User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 May 16th, 2020

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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User Profile: juliak1968
juliak1968 May 16th, 2020

My Card

WHAT OUR MINDS BELIEVE

WE CAN ACHEIVE

1 reply
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 16th, 2020

@juliak1968

I love that! It is so true, our mind is our limit. ❤️

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User Profile: RiverHudson1
RiverHudson1 May 16th, 2020

@rebecca947

Love this activity! My card (and ignore my tiny hand smh):

YAqRgdU.jpg?1

3 replies
User Profile: Zebrasarcastic
Zebrasarcastic May 16th, 2020

@RiverHudson1

You're welcome, Zebrasarcastic.

Joke aside, I like that!

User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 16th, 2020

@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!

1 reply
User Profile: RiverHudson1
RiverHudson1 May 16th, 2020

@rebecca947 I look forward to seeing yours, and thanks!

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User Profile: TheAtticusFinch
TheAtticusFinch May 16th, 2020

@rebecca947

This is such a great idea Rebecca! I'll make some of mine soon and post them here <3

1 reply
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 17th, 2020

@TheAtticusFinch

Yay! Keen to see ❤️

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User Profile: Flornhope
Flornhope May 16th, 2020

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.

4 replies
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 17th, 2020

@Flornhope

Self-harm is different for everyone, and if you don't think this idea will work in your case, it's totally ok! ❤️

3 replies
User Profile: Flornhope
Flornhope May 17th, 2020

@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.

2 replies
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 17th, 2020

@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.

1 reply
User Profile: Flornhope
Flornhope May 17th, 2020

@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.

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User Profile: Goldcherry2113
Goldcherry2113 May 17th, 2020

I made myself a safe space so when I feel bad I can go there and I made myself a self care box. It has some of my favorite things in it.

1 reply
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 18th, 2020

@Goldcherry2113

I love those ideas ❤️

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User Profile: RiverHudson1
RiverHudson1 May 24th, 2020

@rebecca947 still waiting for the card hmm

1 reply
User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 25th, 2020

@RiverHudson1

Oh I totally forgot 😂 I'll send it when I get home... if I remember again hahaha

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User Profile: rebecca947
rebecca947 OP May 26th, 2020

Here's my coping card ❤️ Not tailored to a specific thing, just general mood.
https://imgur.com/a/rm4ggjS

2 replies
User Profile: RiverHudson1
RiverHudson1 May 26th, 2020

@rebecca947 Love it!

User Profile: Zebrasarcastic
Zebrasarcastic May 26th, 2020

@rebecca947

Netflix on tv i definitely agree 😂

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