Coping Strategies
Part 7 - Matching coping strategies to issues

Do any of these issues apply to you?

Alienation	Overwhelmed	Lack of resilience
Estrangement	Loss	Depression
Stress	Work	Anxiety
Domestic abuse	Health	Isolation
Disempowerment	Toxic relationships	Unresolved childhood issues
Identity	Trauma	Lack of self-worth
Abuse	Addictions	Family breakdown
Grief	Shame	Guilt

What coping strategy might you be using to deal with your present issues? Could there be an alternative way of coping?

What are the signs that you aren’t coping very well?
What is likely to trigger you having a dip in your wellness?

Below are some suggestions, followed by an opportunity for you to write down your own answers.

Possible warning signs

• A change in behaviour, routine or habits.
• A loss of humour, energy, enjoyment, motivation.
• Increased heart rate. Restlessness. Unease. Tension. Sweating. Nervousness. Disorientation. Avoidance. Distraction. Irritability. Defensiveness. Anger and aggression.
• A sense of dread, fear, worry.
• A change in eating/sleeping pattern, hygiene.
• Criticism of self – and others.

Possible triggers

• Financial worries
• Bumpin into an ex-partner
• Drugs/alcohol
• Grief/anniversary of a loss/death
• Physical illness
• Harassment/bullying/victimisation
• Disempowerment/alienation/oppression
• Being judged/criticized
• Family breakdown/arguments
• Overwhelmed by work/exams

If you are overwhelmed by stress, if you are under tremendous amounts of pressure, or if you have become a crazy mule, then it’s likely to be too late to make any rational, sensible and meaningful decision(s). So how about you don’t even try? Instead, how about you:

• Wait for a moment of calm and clarity
• Wait until you are out of the hostile environment
• Plan and prepare for the next wave of stress in advance of it happening again