COPING SKILLS THAT WORK LIKE MAGIC

If you encounter a stressful situation or a major disappointment, how do you react? You might not think about it, but your ability to cope with challenges and emotions affects the quality of your life and your happiness. These skills – called coping skills – contribute to many aspects of your life and behavior.

If your methods of coping with disappointment or challenges are not ideal or realistic, you can change them and develop healthy skills that can contribute to a healthier life.

When you are feeling stressed, it is important to deal with it in healthy ways:

1. Exercising in response to stress is one healthy response. When you exercise, you’ll be helping your body metabolize your stress hormones, so you feel more relaxed.
2. Turning to sleep pills is one way to cope with this, but it’s not the healthiest option. Instead, try some holistic techniques to teach your body to sleep through the night.
3. Relaxation techniques are another healthy coping mechanism that can help you to deal with stress. Some people find the use of self-empowering mantras, like “I am talented,” or “I deserve this job,” to be helpful, while others find stress relief in meditation.
4. Mindfulness is another helpful technique that can help you to live in the present. Mindfulness involves changing the way that you think and reframing negative thoughts. It can help you to live in the present and better process and deal with the sources of your stress.

Coping mechanisms are not just important in dealing with stress though. They are necessary to deal with any negative experience. Pick what works for you and stay committed to it.