There are an abundance of things/activities in this world that can be very beneficial in regards to positively supporting mental and/or physical health. And as humans, we have similarities and differences between what may be beneficial skills for each of us.

I’d like to share a snippet of 5 of my coping skills. Coping skills that may be similar or different from ya’ll. Regardless, these are skills that are pretty grounding for me when I need support in caring for myself both mentally and physically.

1. Early morning coffee in bed ☕️ ☀️: On days I’m not working a morning shift or venturing off somewhere first thing, I love starting my day with a cup of coffee in bed. It’s a great way for me to comfortably start my day while enjoying a warm drink. ((Reading or journaling during is a plus!))

2. Exercise 🏋️🏃‍♀️🚶‍♀️💪: I am a fan of moving my body and being active in various ways. Some of my fave ways to exercise includes gym sessions, going on long walks, hiking, Pilates, and running. :)

3. Nature/Camping 🍄‍🟫🌱🌊: Being in nature is extremely grounding for me and is a way to really disconnect from the daily stressors of life. That’s why I tend to go camping or be immersed in nature when I am able to do so. There’s so many things to appreciate about nature. A handful of things I am fond of are hunting for mushrooms, swimming in natural bodies of water, sunrises/sunsets, the stars, campfires, the trees/plants, and so on. Nature is an endless blessing.

4. Cooking 👩‍🍳: I never pictured myself to be someone who would enjoy cooking and to find it so soothing. However, I currently love spending time cooking new recipes while listening to music or podcasts (sometimes I dance)! My body also really appreciates all the wholesome meals I tend to cook.

5. Arts & Crafts 🎨: Creating art is another expansive coping skill as there are many different creative outlets. For me, I love drawing with alcohol and paint markers, crocheting, taking film photos, and working on scrapbooking. Though, I am always interested in trying other forms of arts and crafts.

I am someone who deals with a lot of anxiety on the daily. And for me, coping skills are crucial in helping to feel more at ease in my every day life. I hope to continue utilizing my coping skills as well as learning new ones alongside the way.

Thanks for reading!

Love, Sam! 💛