When events in life cause significant psychological distress, coping mechanisms are the strategies a person can use to deal with that stress and other difficult emotions while also maintaining their emotional well-being.
A coping mechanism is a name given to a particular behavior or thought process that an individual can use to deal with any stressful, traumatic, or upsetting event that occurs in their life.
The term "coping mechanism" can also refer to other behaviors, such as engaging in self-harm, which is not an adaptive coping strategy for stressors.
In this sense, an adaptive coping skill is effective in the long term because coping mechanisms aren't necessarily meant to provide immediate relief - such as what one might find through alcohol abuse - but to improve one's overall mental and emotional well-being.
Examples of adaptive (or effective) coping mechanisms include:
Relaxation & calming techniques - progressive muscle relaxation, taking deep breaths, meditating, listening to music, taking a walk.
Physical activity - running, swimming, yoga - the list goes on. Several physical activities can help you cope with stress and trauma.
Support - talking to a friend, family member, coach, counselor, or therapist.
In an ideal world, people would cope with stress and maintain their psychological well-being by engaging in adaptive coping mechanisms. However, it's common for people to fall into unhealthy habits such as numbing, self-harming, or avoidance.
These are ineffective coping mechanisms because they might help alleviate stress in the short term but have negative consequences for mental health in the long term.
If you have a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression or are facing something stressful or painful in life - whether a divorce or loss of a loved one or job - a therapist can help you develop effective coping mechanisms. You don't have to learn how to build (or break free from) coping skills on your own.
Mental Wellness Tampa
Mental Health Counselor in Tampa
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