Coping Skills Tool Box

Because we all find ourselves needing some extra help when times get rough, here are some general healthy coping skills/strategies/techniques that may help

Pause and Take a Breath

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Breathing exercises are a good way to relax, reduce tension, and relieve stress. Schedule a breathe break today.

"537" Method Breath in for 5 seconds slowly, Hold breath for 3 seconds, Breath out for 7 seconds slowly

Write about it

 Journal your feelings, experiences & thoughts, this can not only be a release of stress and anxiety but you can return to it at a later time to re-read and find any triggers that may have occurred.

Creative writing Writing poetry, songs or short stories not only help to reduce stress, but the creative aspect may help the brain produce some feel good hormons

The 5 Senses: Take a moment to relax breath slow and deeply, close your eyes and run through what all your senses are experiencing, be mindful of each experience in that moment. What do you see, What do your hear (think/talk to yourself about the sound), Touch something (slowly) thinking about how it feels on your skin (grass, blanket, pet, carpet etc.) Taste something focusing on that flavor/texture (sweet, sour, crunchy etc.) Smell something, close your eyes be focused on the smell of a (flower, fruit, blanket, out doors) breathing slowly be mindful of all the separate senses are experiencing talk yourself through what your experiencing. This can Technique can help in moments of high anxiety and panic.