STRESS!!!!

Life can be hard! It does not matter who we are, or what demographics we fit into. We all need to learn healthy coping skills to get us through those hard times. I used to look at counsellors as though they were some sort of demi-God, all-knowing, and able to successfully negotiate all of their curveballs. Many counsellors though are people who have been there and experienced that, developing their own repertoire of coping skills along the way.

Stress is becoming a way of life for Canadians. The latest Ipsos stats show that 42% of Canadians are feeling more stress in their lives as compared with five years ago. Of those who say they have more stress in their lives, 21 % say they have "a lot more" stress while the same number say they are "somewhat" (21%) more stressed (https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/stress-becoming-way-lifecanadians#:~:text=Many%20Canadians%20(63%25)%20say,%22%20(21%25)%20more%20stressed).

One thing I have found that helps me remember my healthy coping skills when I am too stressed or upset to think straight is to write them down in a list and keep it in a place I know I will see it. I keep my list taped to the wall by my bed. It is a quick easy reminder that I can cope and that I have coped 100% successful in the past.

What coping skills do you use? Do you have someone to talk to? Do you meditate? Cook? Exercise? Dance? Go for a walk? Do you journal or write your feelings down? Do you cry it out? Keep a gratefulness list? Zoom or Skype with friends or family? Do you get busy with gardening? Cleaning? Colouring? Redecorating? Blogging? Creating? Do you sleep? Drink tea? Give yourself a pep talk? Life can be hard at times. Healthy coping skills will help us negotiate those hard times.