COPING SKILLS & IDEAS

I thought I’d share some of my favorite healthy coping skills along with giving you a list of ideas to choose from. Some of my favorites are journaling, writing, art, riding or being with horses, playing tennis, listening to music, getting a manicure and pedicure, going for a drive, being in nature, snuggling with my dogs or finding a safe person to talk with. I believe it’s really important to find positive coping skills that you can start retraining your brain to turn to instead of the destructive now automatic behaviors your brain is used to. The good news is that our brains have amazing plasticity and continue growing, learning and rewiring themselves. I’m going to give you some ideas of things to do instead of listening to your eating disorder, but feel free to add to the list and create your own! ~Britt

1. Go for a walk
2. Listen to music
3. Journal
4. Blog
5. Draw/Art
6. Volunteer
7. Find support groups
8. Find fun workshops offered in your area
9. Take a class at a college
10. Learn how to play an instrument
11. Learn how to knit or crochet
12. Play games on your phone or computer
13. Take a nap
14. Take a bath or shower
15. Clean
16. Get a manicure or pedicure
17. Get a massage
18. Read
19. Go for a drive
20. Meditate
21. Play a sport for fun
22. Call a friend or close family member
23. Waste time on Pinterest or a fun website
24. Donate items to Goodwill
25. If it’s warm, lay out and tan
26. Sit at a coffee shop and relax or people watch
27. Watch a funny movie or TV show
28. Dance around in your house
29. Find new music to listen to
30. Practice breathing exercises
31. Go window shopping
32. Go to a movie
33. Make jewelry
34. Join a book club or other interesting group
35. Write poetry
36. Make a gratitude list
37. Read positive quotes and affirmations
38. Do a crossword puzzle or play Sudoku
39. Put together an actual puzzle
40. Bake if it’s something you can enjoy
41. Start a garden
42. Buy yourself a nice gift
43. Sit in your therapists office or somewhere safe
44. Take pictures of nature and fun things
45. Update your playlist
46. Write a letter to someone or yourself
47. Download some fun and positive free apps on your phone
48. Go to a make your own pottery place
49. Go to a park and feed the ducks
50. Write and illustrate a children’s book for fun
51. Play with play-dough
52. Make crafts or decorate something with stickers
53. Try aromatherapy
54. Find a new hobby
55. Learn a new language
56. Watch funny or cute animal videos on YouTube
57. Read funny jokes
58. Go to the library
59. Visit an animal shelter
60. Rearrange your room
61. Make a collage
62. Sing
63. Play with a stress ball
64. Put on your favorite lotion or try a new hair style
65. Give yourself a facial
66. Call a hotline or help line
67. Take fun online surveys
68. Stretch
69. Collect pretty rocks or shells or start a new collection
70. Go to a museum