Table 5.

Types of coping mechanisms[32,36]

Healthy coping or adaptive strategies

Unhealthy coping or maladaptive strategies

Healthy coping is utilizing a coping strategy that allows us to respond to a stressful situation in a healthy capacity. When struggling with a stressor or a challenge, healthy coping mechanisms may not instantly feel gratifying, but they can promote positive long-term change Some healthy coping examples include the following: Talking about your problems with loved ones Eating well and exercising regularly Reaching out to a mental health professional for extra support Self-soothing techniques such as meditation or journaling Using problem-solving skills to address the situation

It employs strategies that respond to stressors in an unhealthy or harmful way. While unhealthy coping mechanisms might offer comfort instantaneously, they tend to lead to negative consequences down the road. Some unhealthy coping examples include the following: Procrastinating on the problem or avoiding it altogether Overeating or undereating, and sleeping too much or too little Partaking in excessive alcohol or drug usage Withdrawing from social situations Self-harm