Coping Skills

For many adolescents, the middle and high school years are a time of high stress. Some common reactions to stress are excitement, fear, anxiety, sadness, and anger. Each adolescent reacts differently. Some adolescents withdraw from others, some lash out at others, and some actively seek the comfort of others. Developing coping skills will help them tolerate, reduce, and manage stressful situations. One way you can support your child in developing these skills is by conversing with them and asking them to identify ways they can feel better when they are feeling overwhelmed, sad, or worried. Who can they talk to? What can they think about? What activities do they find relaxing/distracting /enjoyable? 

Here are some suggestions your adolescent might consider (click the image to read the description):

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  Breathing deeply and visualizing a safe calm place

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  Sipping a cup of hot tea

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  Sucking on a peppermint

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  Drawing or Painting

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  Holding an ice cube

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  Reading

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  Going for a brisk 10-minute walk

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  Making a gratitude list

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  Doing a good deed

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  Counting backwards from 500

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  Writing something positive about yourself for every letter of the alphabet