How to Cope with Stress

Many mental health problems begin when physical stress or emotional stress triggers chemical changes in your brain. The goal of treatment and prevention is to reduce stress and restore normal chemical processes in your brain. Coping skills are methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. Obtaining and maintaining good coping skills does take practice. However utilizing these skills becomes easier over time. Most importantly, good coping skills make for good mental health wellness.
Some good coping skills include:

• Meditation and Relaxation Techniques
• Time to Yourself
• Physical Activity
• Reading
• Friendship
• Humor
• Hobbies
• Spirituality 
• Pets
• Sleeping 
• Nutrition 

There are also negative coping skills which can hinder progress in dealing more positively with stress. Actions that are harmful to both mental and physical health include:

• Drugs
• Excessive alcohol use
• Self-mutilation
• Ignoring or storing hurt feelings
• Sedatives
• Stimulants
• Excessive working
• Avoiding problems
• Denial

These actions offer only temporary relief, if any, from stress. Ignoring or covering up how you feel does not solve the problem and the next time the situation arises, you will still have no way of dealing with it.
The next time you find yourself faced with a difficult or stressful circumstance, remember to practice your new coping skills. These skills lead to good mental health and happier you.

Kim G. Sherman, MA, LCPC at Des Plaines Wellness located in Des Plaines, Illinois offers a multitude of Person-Centered Therapy services available, assisting individuals, couples and families in need of guidance, direction and support through life transitions as well as mental health issues.