Online Training

Coping Strategies

When it comes to coping in difficult times, we all have a number of ways we keep ourselves propped up. These can be positive or negative, and usually we have a mixture of both. Take a look through the following list and see which strategies you tend to use.

Positive:

• Humour
• Exercise
• Healthy eating
• Meditation
• Mindfulness, staying in the present moment
• Playing, having fun
• Taking a bath
• Reducing expectations on yourself and others
• Being grateful for what’s still good in our lives
• Being creative, enjoying hobbies
• Enjoyable distractions such as music, books or films
• Prayer, connecting to your faith
• Taking time out for yourself and others
• Spending time in nature
• Adjusting your work-life balance and renegotiating your responsibilities or priorities
• Getting adequate sleep
• Having things to look forward to, no matter how small
• Connecting with supports such as friends, family, counselling etc

Negative:

• Binge eating or drinking
• Over-spending to make yourself feel better
• Taking drugs
• Excessive TV, social media or news consumption
• Venting negative emotions
• Blaming yourself or others for what is beyond your control
• Over-work

Case Study

Click here for an A4 printable version of this case study activity.

Click here for our answer sheet.

This short video from Mind Tools gives you further strategies for coping with uncertainty.