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My Favorite Coping Skill

by Linda S. Plunkett, PhD

First of all, let’s describe why we would need to use coping skills. Life throws us many challenges. Our futures will inevitably present us with many unforeseen problems and issues which may temporarily throw us into a state of temporary panic as we feel anxious and unprepared to deal with the future. Coping skills, depending on whether we choose good ones or those not-so-good, may either help us or hinder us from ultimately finding resolutions to our problems.

I have learned through personal experience that procrastinating or putting off, or not dealing directly with the issue at hand many times only causes more problems down the road. Knowing the problem is still looming causes more anxiety.

Therefore, I have found that, personally, the best course of action for me is to face the issue head-on by using the following strategies:

  1. As I purposefully take calm breaths to ease my body and mind, I take time to journal or write down all the facts regarding the challenging situation at hand. Putting all the trauma in writing tends to bring me greater mental clarification regarding the situation that needs to be addressed.
  2. In conjunction with the above step, I also choose to further calm my mind and spirit by praying and
    taking the issue to God in prayer, asking for His wisdom and help to have a better understanding to deal with the issue at hand. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all.”
  3. Finally, as I have taken time to consider input from others or do further research, be open to possible
    solutions that present themselves, realizing that this too shall pass. Our problems are temporary. As
    my mother once reminded me, “There is a solution for every problem.”

Visit www.LindaSPlunkett.com to learn more about her story and her books.

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