There are many coping strategies that an individual could use, but it’s important to look into each one in order to determine which one would work best for one’s self. The list below will serve as a starting point as there are always other strategies to consider! Here are the top 5 strategies that have been commonly used when dealing with trauma:
- Develop a toolbox of deep breathing, relaxation skills and meditation skills. Working on these skills help with controlling one’s self emotions, as well as regulating any feelings that they could be going through.
- Re-engage in an activity or hobby that you have not done in a while.
- Find a new activity, sport or hobby that you can participate in.
- Make a list of people you trust that you can call when you’re not doing well.
- Search on the web for people who have experienced similar trauma as yours and have seemingly come out on the other side. Listen to their stories, understand their perspectives, see what they did that helped and try to apply one of those skills in your own life.
Individuals will sometimes gravitate towards unhealthy coping mechanisms. Understanding what unhealthy coping mechanisms are will help an individual be aware if they are ever moving towards that direction. This way, they can stop themselves and try to apply the healthy coping mechanisms that they’ve learned.
- Overeating: Despite being a common method, it truly is an unhealthy one because it creates a bad relationship with food and causes weight issues as well.
- Using drugs or drinking alcohol: Another common strategy, but with more severe consequences. If the consumption of either one goes out of control, then one might have to seek an addictions specialist.
- Oversleeping: Getting sleep is vital for one’s health, but if it is being used as a way to avoid problems, then this now becomes an unhealthy coping strategy.
- Overspending: Sometimes, retail therapy isn’t therapy at all. This could be another way of avoiding your problems and when one spends more than they should, it will only add another stress and make existing problems worse.
- Avoidance: Clearly the most common strategy, people believe that if they avoid their problems completely that it will resolve itself on its own.
