100 Coping Skills

If you are using self-harm to cope or as an outlet for your feelings, you know it is difficult to replace. Coping skills are methods of dealing with stressful situations. I believe it is important to try a variety of methods because not all coping skills are beneficial to everyone. Your needs will also fluctuate with your situation. Distractions, venting emotions, and expressing energy are all ways that you can deal with a  stressful situation. 

So, I challenge you to create a list of healthy coping skills that will help in for a variety of experiences.  Below is a list of 100 I created: 

1. Start an altered book

2. Journal your thoughts

3. Go for a walk

4. Take a bath

5. Create a collage from magazines

6. Take three deep breaths

7. Talk to a friend

8. Text a friend

9. Read 10 pages of a book

10. Sprint or run

11. Play with silly putty

12. Create something with clay (model magic)

13. Simply squeeze clay

14. Hold something soft, like felt, in your hand

15. Talk to a family member

16. Scribble on a piece of paper

17. Rip a piece of paper

18. Stomp on the ground

19. Yell into a pillow

20. Create a list of 100

21. Watch Netflix

22. Watch a funny video

23. Paint with watercolors

24. Drink a cup of tea

25. Ride your bike

26. Step outside | Get in nature

27. Write one neutral word 100 times

28. Write one positive word 100 times

29. Write how you feel on paper

30. Create art about how you feel

31. Try a new technique for your altered book

32. Listen to music

33. Write music

34. Listen to a song that matches your mood

35. Listen to a song that matches how you'd like to feel

36. Create a Zentangle piece of art

37. Teach someone else how to create a Zentangle tangle

38. Do pushups

39. Cry

40. Take a nap

41. Meditate for 1 minute

42. Color a mandala

43. Go to a friend's house

44. Go somewhere public

45. Play a computer game or video game

46. Practice yoga: try a sun salutation

47. Practice progressive muscle relaxation

48. Squeeze your hands into a fist and release

49. Clean a room

50. Take a shower

51. Read a magazine

52. Sit in a sunny spot outside

53. Start a crossword puzzle

54. Knit

55. Create a word collage

56. Stretch

57. Write a letter to someone you appreciate

58. Write a letter to yourself

59. Go to a movie

60. Organize something

61. Push a against a wall with palms flat

62. Name 5 things you see that are blue out loud

63. Name 4 things you hear out loud

64. Name 3 things you smell out loud

65. State one affirmation out loud

66. Write one affirmation 10 times

67. Give yourself permission to take a "worry break"

68. Create a list of trips you would like to take

69. Go to a museum

70. Find a music show to attend

71. Go to a matinee movie

72. Try square breathing | Inhale 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds, exhale 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds

73. Get coffee or tea with a friend

74. Go to a coffee shop on your own

75. Light a candle

76. Vacuum a room

77. Create a list of 100

78. Go to a bookstore | Find a new magazine

79. Create a coping skills box

80. Listen to music on pandora

81. Create a stream of consciousness journal page

82. Hug a friend

83. Visit an art store and find something new to try

84. Purchase a new coloring book

85. Print out a free coloring page

86. Play basketball or another sport

87. Go on a hike

88. Look up a new recipe and prepare it

89. Go shopping

90. Walk around the block

91. Ask a friend to lunch

92. Look at photos that make you feel comforted

93. Watch tv

94. Watch your favorite movie

95. Listen to your favorite song on repeat

96. Dance

97. Sit with a friend

98. Listen to a podcast

99. Cover a large piece of paper with scribbles

100. Close your eyes and take deep breaths

What would you include on your list of 100 coping skills?