Table 7.

Type of coping skills

Self - soothing Comforting yourself through 5 senses: Eg. Stress ball (tactile), Meditative music (hear), Happy pictures (see), flavored tea (taste), Scented candles (smell)

Distraction Taking one’s mind off the problem for a while Eg. Reading, cooking, gardening, crosswords, sports, etc

Opposite action Doing something which is the opposite of the detrimental impulse and yields a positive emotion. Eg. Affirmation and inspirations (quotes, sayings, etc) Funny/quirky videos/movies, etc

Emotional awareness Identification and awareness of one’s own feelings and emotions which can be maintained through a diary, e diary, pages, etc

Mindfulness Tools to aid grounding oneself in the present moment. Eg. meditation, breathing, use of grounding rock, etc

Crisis plan A plan ready in case one fails/one is an acute emergency Contact numbers of close contacts on speed dial family, friends, teachers, employer, therapist, psychiatrist, - creates a psychological safety net. Plan the steps of the crisis - follow the techniques of coping, talk to someone, and if still no remission, visit the psychiatrist.