3e Coping Strategies

• Coping describes all the things we do to manage and reduce stress, while a coping strategy is a method used to manage or reduce stress produced by a stressor
• Coping flexibility is our ability to adapt or modify coping strategies to meet the demands of different stressors
• Coping flexibility involves recognizing when a strategy is not effective for a specific situation and selecting a more suitable, effective strategy
• An example of coping flexibility is when someone discontinues using a coping strategy that is not appropriate for a specific situation and selects a more suitable, effective strategy
• People with high coping flexibility skills produce more adaptive outcomes caused by stress responses, while those with low coping flexibility skills tend to rely on the same, limited coping strategies across different situations
• Context-specific effectiveness refers to when a coping strategy matches the demands of a particular stressful situation
• Approach strategies involve confronting the stressor directly, while avoidance strategies involve evading a stressor and dealing with it indirectly
• Approach strategies include seeking advice from an expert, talking through problems with a friend, reframing a problem to focus on positive aspects, and developing a plan to increase control
• Benefits of approach strategies include being more adaptive and effective than avoidance strategies, although they may initially increase stress levels
• Avoidance strategies are used to avoid the stressor or situation, providing temporary relief but can be maladaptive in the long term
• Examples of avoidance strategies include procrastination, substance use, denial, and use of distractions like computer games or television
• Benefits of exercise as an avoidance coping strategy include reducing stress hormones, muscle tension, increasing cardiovascular fitness, releasing mood-enhancing beta-endorphins, providing distraction from stressors, and offering social connection and support