Mental Health Coping Strategies
Having strategies to help cope with mental health issues, such as anxiety, means you are more likely to be able to overcome them. As an academy, we provide a variety of strategies that students can try out and find one that works for them. In this section, you will find a range of strategies, recommended by professionals, which will help in times of need.
Grounding Techniques
Grounding is a practice that can help you pull away from negative or challenging emotions. These techniques may help distract you from what you are experiencing and refocus on what is happening in the present moment.
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation is an exercise that reduces stress and anxiety in your body by guiding you to slowly tense and then relax each muscle.
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"What will I say to myself?" Cards
Write one phrase or sentence on each card. Think of things that help you to feel calm, comforted and more positive. These could be quotes, song lyrics or any phrases that are meaningful to you. It might be helpful to think about what you would say to a friend if they were in your position. Print, cut them out and keep these cards with you to read through when you feel distressed and need some support.
View linkFor strategies to work, we must go into using them with a growth mindset and not a fixed mindset. Whilst they might not work instantly and we might find some of the techniques hard at first, with practice and a growth mindset in time you will find a handful of different techniques that you can draw on when you need them.
