Coping skills

Here’s 40 coping strategies adults can use to manage stress and anxiety:

• Take a walk
• Listen to favorite music
• Do something for someone else
• Play a card game
• Take a nap
• Sip a coffee/beverage in the park
• Do something creative – draw or color in, knit or build something with your hands
• Take something apart that needs fixing
• Gaze at the stars
• Do an activity that you have always wanted to do
• Watch some funny animal clips
• Take some deep breaths and listen to the sound it makes
• Write a letter
• Declutter a room
• Do things that relax the mind
• Listen to an interesting/inspiring podcast
• Plan spectacular holiday for friends or family
• Phone an aunt or cousin
• Get a massage
• Play an instrument
• Clean out your wardrobe and give what you don’t want to charity
• Write a card to a friend
• Do a mindless chore
• Buy a bunch of flowers
• Watch some videos
• Start a new hobby
• Squeeze a stress ball
• Do some physical activity such as gardening
• Call a friend
• Give someone a hand
• Start a puzzle
• Do some stretching or join a class
• Watch a movie
• Write your thoughts in a journal
• Do a crossword or word-search
• Cook something to share
• Light a scented candle and watch the flame dance
• Head to the beach, the mountains or a national park
• Listen to a mindfulness app
• Get a facial or manicure
• Visit a museum or gallery