Coping Tools

Here are a list of tools and skills I find helpful in times I am especially struggling. Look around, I hope you find something that helps!

– Avery

Calm Harm

Click on picture to get app

Calm Harm is an app that helps direct you through an urge to self harm. There are four categories of tasks to help you “surf the urge”: distract, comfort, express yourself, and release. My favorite feature of this app is the breathe section that takes you through guided breathing. Highly recommend to help get through urges!

Journaling

If you have a lot of jumbled thoughts on your mind, I recommend journaling. Prompted or free writing are both great ways to journal. Prompted journaling has journal starters, which can be helpful if you are just getting into journaling. To free writing, start with a blank page and just write! Let your thoughts roll out. Regardless of how you choose to journal, I recommend journaling on paper. In my opinion, it is easier to pour out my thoughts with a pen and paper rather than on a computer.

Yoga

I owe so much of my peace of mind to yoga. If you have not tried yoga, please try it! I like doing yoga after a workout or any time I am feeling restless during the day. Yoga before going to bed also helps tremendously in calming the body and making it easier to fall asleep, which I find very helpful. You can find good guided yoga all over Youtube. My favorite yoga page is Yoga with Kassandra. If you have Peloton, I recommend the yoga on there, too. There are so many good classes ranging from beginner to advanced, as well as focus flows for specific parts of the body. Yoga was a game changer for the well-being and relaxation of my body and mind!

Coloring

Coloring is a great relaxation tool for when you have a lot on your mind, or if you are bored and want to do something beneficial for your mental health. Even if you do not have a coloring book on you, you can find countless coloring sheets on the internet to print out! I love coloring while listening to music. It helps clear my mind and get rid of bad thoughts.

Coping Box

I made a coping box with my therapist and it has quickly become one of my favorite coping go-to’s. It is simple, easy, and so great for moments when you need a tool to cope but can’t think of something in the chaos of the moment. Grab any box (I used an old shoe box) and fill it with things you can use when you are feeling distressed. Focus on adding at least one thing that can activate each of your senses – smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight – and keep it in a safe and visible place for whenever you need it.

Fidgets

I believe fidgets are key to help with a restless body and mind. They are especially useful because you do not need to totally remove yourself from a situation to calm your mind, you can just grab a fidget! Here are a few of my favorites: