The holiday season is a time of joy, but for some, it is also a source of stress. Practicing DBT skills like PLEASE and Cope Ahead can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed during this busy time of year. By using these tools to help manage stress and anxiety, you can feel more confident in your ability to manage time-sensitive responsibilities.
Visiting family during the holiday can bring about feelings of anxiety. Adolescents and young adults may also have concerns about how to navigate interpersonal conflicts that may arise. Practicing healthy communication strategies by using a DBT skill, like DEAR MAN, is an effective way to set and enforce personal boundaries while still maintaining healthy relationships.
The start of the school year can bring on feelings of anxiety in children with the introduction of new stressors. Back to school preparation begins long before the first day of school. Parents can help their child prepare for the transition by using strategies like validation and problem solving to help them find success.
The DBT self-soothe skills can help you learn how to tolerate distress and improve your ability to handle challenging situations. Using DBT strategies that focus on different sensory experiences, you can master self-soothing practices to relax and reduce stress levels.
We have all experienced emotional distress at times, weather from a frustrating conversation with a friend, troubles at work or school, or even running late for something important. Using DBT skills, such as the TIPP skills for distress tolerance, can help improve how you handle stressors.