Healthy Coping Skills: How to Use Them

Coping skills are necessary and effective for a myriad of instances that can arise in our day-to-day lives. For example, having an argument with a friend or getting through a particularly difficult day at work can be managed more effectively if we have some practice with utilizing proper coping skills. By doing so, we are better able to manage stress and help ourselves feel better, both physically and psychologically. Developing coping strategies to help target emotional distress as well as the stressful situation itself can provide numerous benefits, which we will explore below. 

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The two main areas of coping skills relate to emotion-focused and problem-focused coping skills. What works best for you in a particular situation may differ based on several factors. Some important considerations to keep in mind regarding these two approaches are: 

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Problem-focused coping works best when you require a change to your situation, such as removing something stressful from your life. This may look like leaving an unhealthy relationship or an overly stressful job. By removing the situation from your life, you may best resolve the anxiety and overwhelm that such situations are bringing up. However, it’s important to differentiate between making a conscious decision to remove yourself from an unhealthy environment, and fleeing an environment because we are emotionally triggered and not thinking rationally. 

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Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, works best when you want to take care of your feelings and either don’t want to or are unable to change the situation from which they stem. This is particularly relevant to situations such as grief and loss, where you cannot change the circumstances, but you can learn to process your emotions in a healthy way. 

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The appropriate way to cope with a given stressful situation may look different for different people. Various emotion-focused strategies include caring for yourself by acknowledging and being compassionate towards your emotions, taking part in a hobby, practicing mindfulness and relaxation strategies, challenging negative/irrational thoughts, and engaging in physical exercise. Problem-focused strategies may include asking for support, engaging in problem-solving, creating a to-do list, and walking away from stressful situations. 

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What is important to note is that whatever coping technique we engage in, it must be aimed at regulating emotions and dysfunction, without avoiding the issue long-term. What is right for you will depend on the situation and what needs are presenting for you in the moment. Experimenting with and creating your own personalized toolkit of coping skills can prove helpful in finding out what does and does not work for you. If you require assistance in pinpointing what coping skills work for you or need help in moving away from unhealthy or ineffective coping skills, speaking with a mental health professional can help you with this endeavour.

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If you’re interested in booking a free 15-minute phone consultation, connect with one of our therapists today!

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