Brittany Burgunder

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
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