Coping Skills vs Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are unconscious responses to overwhelming stress in our lives. Although they serve an important purpose, if left unchecked, protective instincts from defense mechanisms can inhibit the development of healthier coping skills. We are going to dive into two common defense mechanisms: denial and regression. Denial One of our … Read More

Defense Mechanisms and Coping Skills

coping skills, coping

Coping skills can take many forms. They help us make sense of our experiences, mitigate stress, and sustain our sense of self-worth. Sometimes life can feel pretty overwhelming. Without these strategies for managing life’s stressors and sustaining a sense of emotional well-being, it would be difficult to navigate even the … Read More

Laughter as a Coping Strategy

laughter

In these seasons and more broadly in general, incorporating humor as a coping strategy can bring some positive color back into daily life.

Coping Through Creativity

The feelings that often accompany depression include loneliness, apathy, and lack of motivation. Becoming lost in our thoughts and feeling stuck are common experiences for those struggling with depression. People use a variety of coping skills to manage their depression, including journaling, joining a support group, listening to music, and … Read More

Changing an Unhealthy Coping Mechanism

coping, change

We all have ways of coping or have fallen into bad habits, even addictions. You may have decided you want to change. But most likely you have found that actually changing just is not as easy as making the decision to do so. Change is hard for most of us.

Coping with Challenges

We all have to cope at some point in our lives. When things are hard and challenging, we need to be able to respond in a way that is healthy and positive. Here are nine things you can do to respond to the challenges of life. When Should I Seek … Read More

Coping with Change

Change can be really hard to accept, especially when we don’t have any choice in the matter. Here are a few tips to make the change feel easier!

Laughter as a Coping Strategy

laughing to cope image

In these seasons and more broadly in general, incorporating humor as a coping strategy can bring some positive color back into daily life.

Imperfectly Fine

It is also essential that we tell ourselves that while we can always do our best, we are imperfectly fine.