A List of 99 Best Coping Skills
In my book, I Got 99 Coping Skills and Being a B*tch Ain’t One, I define coping skills as, “simple, attainable exercises and methods people like you and me can use to mitigate distressing thoughts and feelings.”
I wholeheartedly believe when using the evidence-based coping skills listed in my book, you can:
✔️ Start taking control of your life
✔️ Let go of stress, overwhelm, and irritability
✔️ Live a happier, healthier life
✔️ Stop acting like a b*tch
Hop down to the bottom of this page to find printable pdfs of the coping skills.
The List of Coping Skills
CHAPTER 1: THE BIGGIES
1: Unplug with Dr. Danny Kim
2: Drink Water
3: Eliminate Soda
4: Forest Bathing (a.k.a. Go Outside)
5: Catch Some Zzz’s
6: Healthy Nutrition
7: Get Your *Financial* Shit Together with Rachel Richards
8: Limit Alcohol Intake
9: CEASE Smoking & Vaping
10: Ask for Help
CHAPTER 2: ART THERAPY
11: Sketch with Greg Brew
12: Woodwork
13: Paint
14: Photography & Videography with Bryce Evans
15: Clay Sculpt
16: Needlework with Angie Panozzo
17: Make a Vision Board
18: Digital Art with Kamila Stankiewicz
CHAPTER 3: LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
19: Prioritize Me Time with Megan Logan
20: VARK Learning Preferences
21: Personality Tests
22: Emotional Intelligence
23: Learn Your Love Language
24: Know Your Play Type with Emmasaurus
25: Self-Compassion, Not Self-Esteem
26: Set Boundaries
27: Avoid Procrastinating & Make A Shit List
28: Self-Reflect
29: Power Pose
30: Adverse Childhood Experiences
CHAPTER 4: FIND YOUR PEOPLE
31: Take a Class or Join a Club
32: Become Involved with Your Religious or Spiritual Organization
33: Volunteer
34: Be a Leader with Molly Lohman
35: Community Engagement
36: Advocacy & Activism
37: Intergenerational Connection
CHAPTER 5: MIND-BODY CONNECTIONS
38: Deep Breathing
39: Tapping with Dr. Roberta Temes
40: Massage Therapy
41: Grounding
42: Body Scanning
43: Sit with It
44: Chiropractic Care with Dr. Sarah Breuer
45: Visualization & Guided Imagery
46: Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST)
47: Hydrotherapy
48: Meditation with Sarah Prout
49: Vagus Nerve Reset
50: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
CHAPTER 6: GOOD VIBRATIONS
51: Random Acts of Kindness
52: Create Something to Look Forward To
53: Find Happy News or Pictures with Geri Weis-Corbley
54: Smile & Laugh
CHAPTER 7: CREATIVE WRITING
55: Journal with Gabrielle Stone
56: Write a Letter
57: Create Poetry & Song with Dave Simonett
58: Make SMARTER Goals
59: Write a Gratitude List
CHAPTER 8: DO THINGS
60: Read a Book
61: Listen to (Or Host) a Podcast with Shelby Stanger
62: Go Camping (or Glamping)
63: Cook & Bake with Sara Barthol
64: Do Something You’re Good At
65: Clean Up the Environment with Ashlee Piper
66: Try Geocaching
67: Listen to Music
68: Play an Instrument with Lindsey Stirling
69: #OrgasmsCanHelp
70: Garden with Ellen Mary
71: Complete a Puzzle
72: Pet Your Pet
73: Organize Your Space & Simplify with Michele Vig
CHAPTER 9: RETRAIN YOUR BRAIN
74: Obliterate Limiting Beliefs
75: Reframe Your Thoughts
76: Let It Go
77: Positive Self-Talk & Affirmations with Kristen Helmstetter
78: Beware, Don’t Compare
79: Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls Happiness
CHAPTER 10: MOVE YOUR BODY
80: Cycle
81: Walk or Run with Diane Friedman & Bruce Sherman
82: Equine Therapy
83: Surf with Marta Tomasini
84: Yoga with Paola Cruz
85: Kayak, Canoe, or Paddleboard
86: Mixed Martial Arts with Paige McPherson
87: Ski or Snowboard with Christy Prior
88: Rock Climb
89: Hooping with Lisa Lottie
90: Disc Golf with Paige Pierce
91: Dance
CHAPTER 11: ACCESSORIES
92: Aromatherapy with Terra Drude Johnson
93: Stress Ball
94: Virtual Reality with Dr. M. Zach Rosenthal
95: Biofeedback with Dr. Inna Khazan
96: Vitamins & Minerals
97: Cannabidiol with Marcy Capron-Vermillion
98: Weighted Blanket
99: Happy Lamp
The Wrap Up: 99 Best Coping Skills
Here is the best part: You can start making uncomplicated, actionable lifestyle changes to improve your life today, right now. You just have the make the choice to do so.
Read next: Is Your Loneliness Killing You?