Lets Learn a New Word (Coping Skills part 1)

With all the holidays around us, the cold weather as well as the possibility of being flooded with a good dose of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) it seemed to be the perfect time to bring up something important ……drum roll “coping skills.” I admit this is most definitely not something at the forefront of our minds, but certainly stress and anxiety certainly have an opportunity to make its presence known during the holiday season. 

I first got on the subject after a conversation with some friends. We were discussing the Disneyland Resort Buena Vista Street expansion (Anaheim, California) . Many people had very strong emotions about being able to at least walk into the resort and many described they had very strong feelings to the point it brought  tears to their eyes. This got my friends and I thinking just how much a place like Disneyland , and any other location provided a sense of comfort and an escape for people. I can attest to this as a former pass holder. I always looked forward to Disney outings with my Disney crew and being caught up in the magical pixie dust. (I think it’s sprinkled with a little crack.) I created this place, and the time with my friends as an escape. It was a time to just focus on what was in front me and to keep my mind away from my problems which bring stress and anxiety . This is what countless others do. We are  figuring out a way to simply catch our breath and to cope with whatever issues are troubling us. Which brings us to the topic and its importance. 

Let’s think about what exactly are coping skills. According to Webster and Merriam the word cope means “to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties often to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success.”

And a skill “is the ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance” Just looking at these definitions we can see that forming coping skills and positive ones at that is something that can be challenged in the forming and implementing of such skill as well as staying  consistent day to day. So when you find yourself getting a bit stressed out, frustrated or anxious here are a few things to do to recenter yourself.

1. Close your eyes and take a deep breath 

Learning how to tackle every day stress isn’t going to come easy but it is possible to learn and manage it. With the transition into a New Year there is an opportunity not just for a resolution but to take the challenge of learning this skill……………now who loves a challenge? 

“Stand Tall and Start Small”

“Cope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cope. Accessed 20 Dec. 2020.

“Skill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skill. Accessed 20 Dec. 2020.