Have you ever felt anxious, stressed, or otherwise triggered and felt like there was nothing you could do to relieve the tension?

This sensation can feel devastating for many. How do you keep everything together while finding relief at the same time?

Coping skills are the tools that people use to deal with the ups and downs of life. However, some individuals will develop maladaptive forms of coping that may inhibit their ability to find true relief. For example, someone struggling with addiction may try to cope by using drugs or alcohol to deal with life changes, whether positive or negative.

Why Developing Healthy Coping Skills is Important

Relieve Tense Moments without Substances

Self-medicating is a common maladaptive coping tool for many struggling with addiction. If one finds themselves in an uncomfortable situation that finds them feeling tempted to drink or use drugs, practicing coping skills can help provide the needed relief without the use of substances.

Learn to Adapt Healthily to Life’s Changes

For some, life can feel like a never-ending series of changes. Whether it’s a move to a new city, getting married or divorced, the loss of a job, or experiencing any other type of major change, it’s essential to have healthy coping skills to deal with the added stress.

Handle Triggers in a Productive Way

For those in recovery, managing triggers is an important part of maintaining sobriety. A trigger can be anything that reminds an individual of their substance use and causes them to crave drugs or alcohol. While some triggers are impossible to avoid, having healthy coping skills can help someone manage their reaction to the trigger in a productive way.

Coping Skills Can Be Fun

Not all coping skills need to be serious. Some can even be fun! If you’re finding it difficult to stick to healthy coping skills, try adding some levity and incorporating activities that you enjoy into your coping arsenal. Here are a few ideas:

  • Listen to music
  • Write in a journal
  • Go for a walk or run
  • Play with a pet
  • Take a yoga class
  • Make art

There are endless possibilities when it comes to finding healthy coping skills that work for you. The most important part is to be patient and keep trying new things until you find what works best.

Develop Coping Skills with the Help of a Professional Therapist

If you’re struggling to find healthy coping skills that work for you, it may be time to seek help from a professional. 

A therapist can assist you in identifying the triggering thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you from finding relief. They can also help you develop healthy coping skills and teach you how to use them effectively.

Compassion Behavioral Health is a mental health treatment center based in Hollywood, Florida that offers a variety of services to help individuals develop healthy coping skills. We offer individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy, as well as psychiatric evaluations and medication management from our beautiful Hollywood, Florida community.

To get help, call us at (844) 999-0874 today or contact us online anytime.