Article by Behavioral Health Specialists at the Family Health Clinic

How well do you cope with stress, anxiety, and/or depression? Oftentimes we turn to negative coping skills as a way to manage stressors in our lives.

Coping skills are one way you can work through those emotions in a more positive way. In this blog, you can learn more about what coping skills are, how to use them, and then explore our list of 99 positive coping skills.

What are coping skills & how can people use them?

Coping skills are those daily strategies and activities that we use to help deal with, work through, or process our emotions. We all have them. We have learned them from our families and the people who have influenced us most in our lives. They can be positive and healthy, but they can also be negative and unhealthy.

If you or someone you know could use help discussing positive coping methods, please set up an appointment with the Family Health Clinic by calling (800)-321-5043.

99 Positive Coping Methods

1. Exercise (running, walking, sports, working out)
2. Yoga
3. Write (journal, poetry, stories)
4. Scribble/doodle on paper
5. Draw a picture or color
6. Paint
7. Be with other people
8. Watch a favorite TV show
9. Go see a movie
10. Do a word search, crossword, or Sudoku
11. Play a musical instrument.
12. Working out in the garage on a project
13. Working on the car
14. Painting a room
15. Restoring furniture (fixing, painting, updating)
16. Paint your nails
17. Do your makeup
18. Do your hair
19. Sing
20. Study the sky
21. Punch a punching bag, pillow, or mattress
22. Let yourself cry
23. Take a nap
24. Spend time with your pets
25. Go shopping
26. Take a shower or bath
27. Clean something
28. Knit or sew
29. Go to a gun range
30. Work outside (gardening, mowing, tree trimming)
31. Pray
32. Read a good book or magazine
33. Listen to music
34. Aromatherapy
35. Meditate
36. Bake
37. Try a new recipe
38. Organize your belongings
39. Shoot hoops, kick a ball
40. Write a letter to someone
41. Volunteer
42. Hug someone or a pillow
43. Dance
44. Go for a drive
45. Complete something you have been putting off.
46. Try a new hobby
47. Create or build something
48. Make a list of the blessings in your life
49. Read your Bible
50. Go to a friend’s home
51. Contact a helpline or therapist
52. Talk with a close family member or friend
53. Go for a bike ride
54. Feed ducks, birds, or squirrels
55. Color in a coloring book
56. Memorize a verse, poem, or song
57. Stretch your muscles
58. “Shop” online without buying anything
59. Watch birds or fish
60. Plan a get-together or event
61. Look at old photos
62. Fly a kite
63. Give yourself a facial
64. Research going back to school or a career change
65. Play a video or computer game
66. Clean up trash at your local park
67. Watch sports
68. Go to the Gym
69. Sit near water
70. Take a walk in nature
71. Perform a random act of kindness for someone
72. Call or text someone
73. Rearrange furniture
74. Smile at 5 people when out in public
75. Wear soft, comfortable clothes
76. Take a bubble bath
77. Get a massage
78. Get a manicure
79. Wrap up in a blanket
80. Make a healthy snack
81. Sit in the sun
82. Watch a funny movie
83. Laugh by yourself or with friends or family
84. Research a topic of interest
85. Go to the Library
86. Go out to eat
87. Go bowling
88. Play darts
89. Play pool
90. Make a gift for someone
91. Write a thank you card
92. Meet a friend for lunch or dinner
93. Visit a nursing home
94. Send an encouraging email
95. Create a video
96. Do a craft project
97. Attend a church service
98. Photography
99. Deep breathing

Behavioral Health Services

The Family Health Clinic provides a unique opportunity for working together with your Nurse Practitioner and therapist to meet your mental, physical, and emotional health needs. We provide the following services:

• Individual and Group Counseling
• Counseling 
• Medication Management
• Stress Management
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Learn more here!

Medical Disclaimer

Originally published in 2018. Updated March 2021.