When you have a mental illness, positive coping skills can make the difference between thriving and surviving, because let’s face it – difficult experiences are a part of life and its how you handle them that make or break you.
While there are countless negative coping skills that may appear to help temporarily relieve negative emotions, ranging from alcohol overuse and self-injury to avoidance and isolation, there are also numerous positive coping skills that can help ground you.
Here are some of the ones that people have had the most success with:
Talk It Out
It’s natural to want to isolate when you’re feeling low. You’re too down and depleted to hold a long, drawn-out conversation, and you don’t want to feel like a nuisance to someone else. However, talking through your issues, getting an outsider’s perspective, or simply venting can be incredibly cathartic. It’s always good to have at least one trustworthy go-to person that you can call or text when needed, whether it’s a friend, a parent, or a mentor – and if you don’t have anyone you know that you feel like you can turn to, you can text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Change Your Surroundings 
It’s also good to get a change of scenery when you’re feeling isolative. Getting out of the house and getting some fresh air can help provide a distraction from negative thoughts and feelings. Try walking your dog or going on a stroll through the neighborhood. Water can be soothing, so if walking along a stream or another body of water is an option, give that a try. If crowds don’t bother you, you can also try going to a movie or going shopping for a change in surroundings.
Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing may sound simple, but with practice, it has the power to help you relax and enter a different, calmer headspace – and you can do it almost anywhere, anytime. To try deep breathing, sit with your back straight against the back of a chair with one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Close your eyes and breath in through your nose as deeply as possible, feeling the hand on your stomach rise as you count to four. Hold the breath in and count to two, then exhale through your mouth as you count to four again. Repeat this process until you feel relaxed, and if you run into difficulty, try deep breathing while lying on your back.
Do Something You Love
Sometimes a simple distraction can make all the difference. If you’re experiencing negative thoughts or feelings, try distracting yourself with one of your favorite hobbies. Read a book, cook your favorite meal, listen to music, go for a hike – the list is endless. If it gets you out of your head and it’s something you enjoy, try it. You might be surprised by how easily you forget about what’s bothering you.
Get Moving
It’s common knowledge that exercise means endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. While your energy levels may not be at their best, movement can make you feel cheerful and energized. If you’re feeling low, try scheduling a workout date with a friend and ask them to hold you accountable, or if you’re feeling antisocial, put on your favorite podcast and go to the gym, or go for a scenic walk through a local park.
There are countless methods for managing stress and negative emotions that don’t have negative consequences. Although coping skills aren’t one-size-fits-all, trying them on for size is a positive step towards better mental health, and healthy coping skills can help you translate negative feelings into inner peace and confidence.
By: Alexis Crase, Anxiety In Teens Contributor