Healthy Coping Skills

In Recovery I think that it's essential that we have a "coping toolbox"  I know I have mine and when things become overwhelming I can turn to healthy things rather than unhealthy behaviors that spiral back into the eating disorder mindset.

Coping Skills

• Affirmations
• Painting your nails
• Gratitude Lists
• Journaling/Blogging
• Snail Mail
• Music
• Arts and Crafts
• Support Groups
• Pet Therapy
• Reading
• Texting or Calling a person that you really trust
• Social Media (as long as it's healthy)
• Facebook, Snapchat, or Google Talk
• Taking a hot shower
• Lavender Lotion
• Play-Dough
• Inspirational Quotes
• The Smell of Candles
• Zen Gardens
• Relaxation or Calming Music
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Go for a nice drive in the country
• Retail Therapy
• Taking a nap
• Rubic Cubes
• Cross Words, Suduko, or other mind building games
• Staying grounded
• Vision Boards
• Push your tongue to the roof of your mouth
• Make a safe place scene
• Staying Present
• Pray
• Make a list of things you need to do
• Knit
• Get out in the sunshine
• Watch the stars or the clouds
• Sit and observe the nature around you
• Take pictures
• Color with Crayons
• Mandela's
• Zen Tangles
• Write Poems
• Make a rubber band ball
• Pintrest, Tumblr, or Facebook
• Write a letter to someone you are having issues with, but don't send it
• Recovery Apps-Recovery Record, Happier, Kissy, Body Beautiful, Rise Up, GPS4Soul, Instagram
• Make some Tea
• Make a bucket list
• Look up Recovery Websites
• Volunteer
• Do a puzzle
• Paint
• Make a list of reasons to recover

So, next time that the "Ed voice" pops back into your head I encourage you to replace healthy coping skills with the unhealthy coping skills