*Coping Skills Toolbox*
Coping skills are essential because they help individuals manage stress, navigate challenges, and maintain emotional well-being. Effective coping strategies enable people to respond to adversity in healthier ways, reducing the risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Strong coping skills can improve problem-solving, emotional regulation, and resilience, making it easier to adapt to changes, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain positive relationships. In the long term, they contribute to better overall life satisfaction and personal growth.
What’s in your Coping Skills Toolbox?
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC in my coping skills box is....
Art supplies - to express myself, relax and have fun
Icecream- because that's a must have😋
Computer tablet thingy - cause this site is a life line for me
A ❤- because helping others in return helps me
box of tissues,- because it's ok not to be ok some times
the phone number for the Ghostbusters - because you never know
Baloons and party hats - because you you need to be ready to partyy at all times
@Tinywhisper11 great post btw ❤ thankyou ❤ gives you a giant tiny hug ❤
@Tinywhisper11 Thank you and you're welcome!
@Tinywhisper11 Those are fantastic coping skills!
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC ❤ thank you ❤
@Tinywhisper11
Oh my goodness, what a fantastic list! I especially had to giggle at the phone number for Ghostbusters! Will definitely be stealing that and adding some sort of variation to my own (not yet officially formed 😅) list!
What type of art supplies do you like to work with? I like a variety tbh, but one of my favorites is oil pastels/ crayons - I like how rich and creamy they are and how you get to really work with your hands to blend them. I think being able to work with my hands like that makes it an even better tool in my coping toolbox!
@awesomeForever34 yep definitely need to add the Ghostbusters number to your list😂😂 you just never know😂 I use soft watercolour pastels alot ❤ would love to see some of your art oneday ❤
@awesomeForever34 oh don't forget to add ice cream to your list😋😋
@Tinywhisper11 I love this list I will have to add a couple of these to my coping toolbox!🤣💛
@sierrarain03 😂😂 yep! Take whatever you need😁❤
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC
Thank you for doing this great post!
What’s in your Coping Skills Toolbox?
I mostly work with
1. Self affirmations
2. Meditation
4. Exercise
5. Music
You’re welcome! That’s a fantastic list. The STOP technique is definitely key!
@amiablePeace77
I hadn't heard of the STOP technique before! It sounds like it could be helpful for me :) Thank you for sharing! I'm going to try and add it to my toolbox to help with my emotional regulation and self control
@awesomeForever34
Awesome! I hope you will experience the same benefits as I do!
- Prayers for A-Z
- Different work-out options, my jump rope is my fave
- Music
- Deep breathing
- Contact info for therapist; several support groups; friends I can talk to
- Pen and paper, as I like journaling and find it to be extremely useful
@beckybush Thanks for sharing! Those are definitely awesome skills to keep in your toolbox.
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC, good question!
In my coping skills box I havemy Journal, where I can organize my ideias and identify my feelings. I also have and a bunch of Yoga sessions, which help me to deal with anxiety and develop inner peace and self love.
Best wishes,
Breeze
@Breeze25 Journaling is such an awesome technique! Thanks so much for sharing.
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC hey this is such a beautiful prompt! mine would probably include music, exercise, showers, spending time with friends/family, movies/tv shows, books - anything to get my mind out of overthinking about the problem at hand!
@heretohelpyou1211 Thank you! Awesome coping techniques! Thanks for sharing!
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC
Thank you for getting me to think about this.
Random art supplies and mixed media sketchbook (because the mixed media helps me experiment and not get caught up in artistic perfection)
journal and pen (for making sense of my own narrative and figuring out what to do next)
other notebook (for escaping into poetry and prose)
perfume roller (so i feel slightly more grounded and human)
camera (to be creative and present without stressing about having to sit and concentrate)
tea (warm beverages calm me down)
fake rose (for when alcohol cravings kick in)
philosophy magazine (the mental puzzles are distracting and meaningful)
easy fiction book (when i just need to escape)
running shoes (when i PHYSICALLY need to escape)
ipod (no need for internet distractions or fretting about music choice. just music and nostalgia)
@determinedSea4370 And a bathbomb! I've currently used 3 since 2025 started and they've been effective in keeping me away from alcohol and sharp objects to self harm with (hopefully im not jinxing myself here). currently typing this while sweating in the tub, been in here for about an hour.
@AshleyNFlewellenLPC I love thinking of coping skills as being in a toolbox! I would say probably my pen and paper. Whether it is for journaling, poetry, doodling, more complex art, planning and much more, I always feel like I can do a lot for my mental health with those two things!
I would also put nature in there (wow huge toolbox) because anytime I go outside, I always feel a little better! (Fresh air and also the beauty of nature :) )
I would also say my cat (don't worry I poked holes in this tool box) because even though he feels awkward when I cry (he looks at me at a distance) when I am done crying or if he knows I am feeling sad he is ready for cuddles! (What good boy)
I probably could put more but those are definitely the essentials! :)
I like the toolbox metaphor, so I was glad to see it used here. Here are some of my favorite coping mechanisms for dealing with anxiety, stress, and general challenges:
- Mindfulness exercises
- Lighting candles
- Watching a TV show
- Listening to music
- Reaching out to a friend or acquaintance
- Taking walks
- Journaling
- Personal hygiene