In life, we encounter many emotional situations that test our mental well-being. Sometimes those situations can snowball out of control with what seems no rhyme or reason. To add to it sometimes you can end up with more situations, which seem to be the domino effect. We need to develop coping strategies.
How do you deal with all the chaos at one time? Coping skills were only known to be a statement made by a psychiatrist to a crazy person. I’m not crazy! Many of us were told growing up to just get over it and move on. That’s not helpful for healthy development.
Coping skills for today’s issues
Well, this is a very different world than even two decades ago and now we face new challenges that we weren’t prepared for. We need to cope with the trials and tribulations of everyday life and not everyone has a shrink on speed dial. Having coping skills doesn’t have to be viewed in a negative way at all. In fact, coping skills could end up being a byproduct of good and healthy habits done daily.
The fact is you have to be able to manage your own emotions internally so that you don’t fall apart at each detour along the way. Developing effective coping skills will take some time. We need to understand the triggers that disrupt our emotions. Our emotions are based in part by our past experiences with others and over time they become patterns in our lives if left unchecked.
Example: if we are constantly getting hurt feelings by others, typically we internalize the situation as if there were something wrong with ourselves. More than likely there isn’t anything wrong with ourselves, it just may be the other person projecting their own issues on to you.
We choose how we feel
A big coping strategy right out the gate is that you choose how you feel. No one can make you feel anything you don’t want to. If someone hurts your feelings, then you need to recognize that you gave that power to someone else. Stop letting yourself get saddened by whatever the situation was. Easier said than done, but little by little you will learn how to use this technique as a coping skill. In my past, I was always allowing others to make me feel sad, mad, or whatever without really realizing it.
You can end up spending time dwelling on an encounter that didn’t go well. Wasted energy and time over something or someone that didn’t rate in the first place. People who care about you and that you care about will hurt you from time to time, that’s life. You will get hurt. That doesn’t mean that they are out to get you.
Learning how to navigate your personality will go a long way for your mental well-being. Creating a balance in your life will go a long way.
Tips to develop emotional-based coping skills: (also know as strategies)
- Regular exercise. Preferably daily.
- Meditation. This will help you get calmer and centered within yourself.
- Listen to soothing music. The tunes will help you get calmer to better tend to whatever the situation is.
- Going for walks during the day with the sun shining is good for you.
- Healthy and balanced diet.
- Good night’s sleep.
- Develop a good routine.
Tips to develop problem-based coping skills:
If a situation has happened beyond your direct control then you will need to create some coping skills specifically for them.
- If you are in an unhealthy relationship then it may be time to move on. This is controllable and you can end it. Longterm sadness and anger aren’t good for your well-being. This is more recognizing that there is a problem so that you can apply emotional coping skills to get you through it.
- For each problem look at what potential solutions could there might be, then make the healthiest choice possible.
- Get perspective on the situation. Sometimes we have a tendency to overreact and not understand the problem at hand.
- The more good and healthy habits you have the better you will be able to respond to problems that arise.
Conclusion
Each day we face challenges, but the more mental health exercises we do now can help us better cope with them. Once you learn about your personality and the way you react, you will be able to create a mental plan of action. Do the necessary work on yourself and enjoy life the best way possible.
What coping skills do you have and how have they helped you when situations arise?
