What are healthy versus unhealthy coping mechanisms?

Coping mechanisms are strategies used to manage stress, emotions, and difficult situations. Healthy (adaptive) coping: (1) Problem-focused — addressing the stressor: planning, seeking information, taking action; (2) Emotion-focused (used when problem can't be changed) — acceptance, emotional support, positive reframing; (3) Physical strategies — exercise, sufficient sleep, healthy eating; (4) Social — talking with trusted people, support groups, professional therapy; (5) Cognitive — mindfulness, meditation, journaling, positive self-talk, cognitive restructuring; (6) Behavioral — engaging in hobbies and meaningful activities, creative expression, time in nature; (7) Spiritual — prayer, meditation, attending religious services if part of one's tradition; (8) Self-care — boundaries, time off, relaxation, pleasure activities; (9) Professional help when needed — therapy, counseling, support groups. Unhealthy (maladaptive) coping: (1) Substance use — alcohol, drugs, nicotine to numb feelings; (2) Behavioral excesses — overeating, gambling, shopping, excessive screen time, compulsive sexual behavior; (3) Restriction — undereating, excessive exercise; (4) Self-harm — cutting, burning, hitting self; (5) Aggression — verbal or physical toward others; (6) Avoidance — denial, isolation, sleeping excessively to avoid; (7) Dependence — clinging behavior, excessive reassurance-seeking; (8) Workaholism — using work to avoid feelings. Nursing role: (1) Assess coping strategies clients use; (2) Reinforce healthy strategies; (3) Education about unhealthy patterns; (4) Skills training (relaxation, mindfulness, problem-solving); (5) Refer to therapy when patterns are entrenched. Personal coping: nurses experience stress and benefit from the same strategies; self-care prevents burnout and compassion fatigue.