Coping skills to use in moments of stress

Active coping strategies:

• Go for a walk, run or hike.
• Do some yoga or stretching.
• Do jumping jacks.
• Run in place.
• Put on some music and dance.
• Bounce or kick a ball.
• Jump rope or hula hoop.
• Squeeze a stress ball.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Play a family game of tag or basketball.

Relaxing coping strategies:

• Listen to calming music.
• Take some deep breaths.
• Practice a guided imagery exercise and think of a calm, happy place.
• Tense and relax your muscles.
• Take a quiet break or rest.
• Have a drink of cold water.
• Close your eyes, and count to 10 or backward from 100.
• Read a book or magazine.
• Take a bath or shower.
• Blow bubbles.
• Hug a stuffed animal.
• Spend time outside. Sit and look at the clouds, or close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you.

Creative coping strategies:

• Color, draw or paint.
• Write a poem.
• Make up a song.
• Play an instrument.
• Journal about your thoughts or feelings.
• Play with Play-Doh.
• Build with Legos or blocks.
• Play with different textures, such as dry rice or shaving cream.
• Make up a new game.

Social coping strategies:

• Play a game with the family.
• Call a friend.
• Cuddle or play with your pet.
• Read a book together.
• Facetime with relatives.
• Share your feelings with someone you trust.

Coping strategies that shift your mindset:

• Think of something positive.
• Focus on 1 thing you are grateful for.
• Close your eyes, and think about something you are looking forward to.
• Look at pictures, or think about a happy memory.
• Focus your energy on the present moment by practicing a grounding exercise.
• Think about something that makes you laugh.
• Create a time capsule with your favorite artwork, homework, report cards and pictures from the past year.
• Practice reframes.
• Focus on what you can control. 

 Healthy Coping Strategies for Kids – Managing Stress | Strong4Life