Taking Action Against DepressionSample

Day 5: Coping Skills

To combat depression or any other mental and emotional stress, I have to use healthy and positive coping skills. These coping skills are activities that give us breaks from the stressors. While I battled depression, my therapist introduced a list of 99 coping skills to me. I will share a few of my favorites here that relate to scripture:

1. Pray - The Lord tells us in Philippians 4:6 to not worry but pray about everything. Praying to God is a great way to express your thoughts and emotions. He hears you and the peace that comes with talking to God is soothing.
2. Read the Bible - God’s Word is a source of comfort. In it are His promises to you such as love (Romans 8:38-39), provision (Philippians 4:19), and guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3. Make a list of blessings in your life - God is still good even when we are experiencing negative circumstances. Reflecting on the good things in our life and giving praises to God are helpful tools in boosting our mood. Psalms 100:4-5 encourages us to give praises to God.

Additional coping skills that I personally found helpful were exercising, spending time with friends and family, singing, taking a hot shower/bath, journaling, crying, and cleaning. Feel free to participate in other healthy and positive coping skills that interest you.

Prayer point:

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, thank you for the many healthy and positive coping skills that are available to help me overcome the depression I am experiencing. Lord, I pray you direct me to the coping skills that will be most beneficial for me. I ask that you remind me of these coping skills when I am feeling stressed mentally and/or emotionally. I also pray that you help me be patient and relaxed while I participate in these coping skills to experience their full effects. I thank you for improving my mental health. It’s in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.