Around the Clock 1: General (Positive) Coping Strategies List
Taken From: http://fav.me/d9cwkes published October 12th 2015
This post has been heavily edited to be done to the bare minimum of general coping strategies, a list of things that I’ll be converting into my new journal notebook so that I can have a resource/reference for them physically with me in one place, as well. This main post of #WWRRM is a general list of coping strategies I pulled a long time ago from my pages from partial. This series will be approximately five parts long. I will be covering general coping strategies, my old coping strategies, my current coping strategies, coping boxes, coping treasures bag and portable coping strategies. So, maybe a little over 5 parts long 😉
Thank you for tuning in! I may have a life update post soon, depending. 🙂
A lot of these coping strategies that you will find linked, spoken of or featured here, will be repetitive as you explore more on your own (if you so choose), or go through the links or what have you. There are legitimately HUNDREDS of coping strategies in existence in this world. You CAN and WILL find what works for you. It’s a lot of just trying it out and seeing how it works. There are strategies you can use in particular moods – such as for anger, anxiety, depressed. There are ones you can infiltrate into every day life – art, for instance. And others you can use on fancy days. 
The big things to keep in mind: It will take you time and practice to work on these coping strategies – and to master them, most definitely practice them when you are feeling WELL. We all know how difficult it can be to unlearn negative behaviors, and by engaging in more adaptive coping strategies, particularly when you are feeling WELL, will help you to reach FOR those adaptive strategies when you direly need them.
There will be relapses and lapses in Recovery. In terms of self harm, a relapse in recovery is where you re-engage with the negative behavior (whatever form of SH that is) and say ‘Ah, fuck it, I’ll just keep doing this’ and continue to self harm again.
In contrast, a lapse in recovery is where you slip up, you have a moment of intense emotion, you self harm, then you say ‘Okay, I had a bad moment there, it’s not something I want to do again, I’m getting rid of the tools I used, I’m continuing with recovery’.
That difference can be huge.
We all have good days and bad days. When the bad days come, know your warning signs and when you absolutely need to bust into coping strategies, get professional help, be hospitalized, or what have you. If you don’t know your warning signs, look through warning sign lists online or ask around with other individuals you know who struggle or from Youtube videos or treatment staff and look at the common hits (if you’re sleeping more or less, if you’re eating more or less, if you’re more stressed out, is there structure to your day or do you have a lot of unstructured time, etc.) and begin journaling and paying attention to what your own warning signs are. A pattern will emerge in time, trust me.
If mental illness is a part of your life, you may know how important it is to gather support from the community, to have professional help that helps you, to surround yourself in positive vibes and having hobbies, coping strategies, work, volunteer work, etc. Some of you may not have a mental illness, but we ALL have mental health. Learning additional coping strategies and packing them into your list of resources is just as important as anything else. We’ve all had different sorts of experiences through our lives, and one thing that works well for me may not work for you, but I do believe wellness, recovery and betterment does exist and can exist in our lives. It takes a lot of work, and even I know that my recovery is only just beginning. And, that’s totally okay. Let’s jump into this, shall we?
Le Coping Strategies 
LIST #1: Called 20 Sober Leisure Activities —
Acting/dramatics. Aerobics Archery aquariums art appreciation arts and crafts shows astrology auctions backpacking Barbecues bicycling playing bingo bird-watching board games calligraphy book club bowling camping canoeing/kayaking sports: basketball, soccer, football, etc. card games ceramics, pottery child related organizations choir coffee houses collecting – coins/antiques community organizations concerts crossword puzzles word searches jigsaw puzzles (physical or on your phone) dancing designing clothes dining out driving education electronics exercising exhibits fishing garage sales/yard sales gardening genealogy gymnastics hair styling hiking/walking home decorating organizing horseback riding hot air balloons house plants ice skating swimming going to the beach going outside having picnics (with friends, family, etc.) observing wild life karaoke flying kites knitting/crochet listening to music mini golf mountain climbing movies museums musical instruments parks going to parties or Planning parties people watching Pets ping pong plays/lectures quilting debates reading fanfiction 
religious organizations roller skating school clubs shopping sight seeing singing stargazing stenciling sunbathing string art supernatural Support Groups talking on the phone teaching a skill television tennis touring traveling video games visiting friends volunteer work weight lifting window shopping woodworking yard work yoga doing homework 
LIST #2: PLEASANT EVENTS SCHEDULE
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: Being in the country / driving, walking, being along the country side, farms. : wearing expensive or formal clothes
: taking tests when well prepared : planning trips/vacations : talking to yourself :talking with a friend : buying things for yourself
: giving gifts :hugging someone :rearranging or redecorating your room or home : creating a sensory room/space for yourself
: going to a sports event : reading a how to book or article : reading stories, novels, plays : writing stories, novels, plays xD
: driving skillfully. Biking skillfully : go to the library : breathing clean air : thinking about something good in the future
: completing a difficult task : Laughing : problem solving : baking cookies from scratch : baking in general : cooking
: being at weddings : having lunch with friends : taking a shower : Taking a bath : writing positive affirmations
: being adventurous (especially with friends!) : having a frank and open conversation :working on your job : making snacks
: being helped : helping others : wearing informal clothes : combing/brushing your hair : taking a nap : being in the city
: singing to yourself : making food or crafts to sell or give away : being with cousins :: playing chess or checkers
: putting on makeup : taking off makeup : treating yourself (a dessert, a hobby, etc.) :designing or drafting : visiting people who are sick or shut in : getting in touch with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while : cheering :reading academic or professional literature : wearing new clothes : sitting in the sun : Just sitting and thinking : seeing good things happen to your friends/family
: going to an amusement park, zoo, carnival : listening to nature sounds : introducing people you think may like each other
: watching the sky, clouds or storms : getting massages/back rubs : getting letters, cards or notes : writing letters, cards or notes (this reminds me of you, Sage 
) : Giving speech : Reading maps : Gathering objects from nature : being in the mountains
: getting a job advancement, promotion or raise (good job! Celebrate it!) : hearing or telling jokes : enjoying beautiful scenery
: improving your health (diet, exercise, wellness) : writing papers, essays, articles : doing a job well (like a boss!) : having spare time : being noticed in a positive/expressive way 
: counseling someone : learning something new! : going to a drive in
: complimenting or praising someone : thinking about people you like : have daydreams : seeing famous people: being alone
~: budgeting your time ~ being praised by someone you admire ~ having religious faith ~ exploring your own spirituality ~ doing a project in your own way ~ Crying ~ Being told that you are needed ~ seeing or smelling a flower ~having plants ~Using perfume or cologne ~ having peace and quiet ~reminiscing on good times ~ getting up early in the morning ~ saying or repeating mantras
~meditations ~ doing favors for people (and also being assertive and say no to things if you need to!) ~ being relaxed ~being asked for your advice or help ~keeping in perspective other people’s struggles ~ sleeping well at night ~being in a therapy or other support group ~ dreaming at night ~ brushing your teeth ~ walking barefoot ~cleaning things ~amusing people ~ being with someone you love ~ going to the hairdresser ~ reading magazines
# sleeping late #starting a new project # giving yourself challenges that you can complete # building or watching a fire # confessing or apologizing # being with happy people 
# asking for help or advice # smiling at people # watching the stars at night # playing in sand, a stream, the grass # having people show interests in your thoughts # expressing your love to someone # talking about your hobbies or special interests # having coffee, tea with friends # going to your local cafe # taking a walk # playing in the snow # visiting the cemetery # being told you are loved # being proud of family/friends # thinking about an interesting question # defending someone # winning a competition # making a new friend # reading cartoons, comic strips or comic books # looking at the moon # jump those puddles! # being aware of your surroundings # learning about other cultures/countries # just being with yourself.
RecoverytoWellness 