03/17/2026
When emotions feel overwhelming, having practical tools ready to use can make a big difference. Help your child build a personalized coping toolkit with strategies they can use during hard moments, and practice them before they need them most!
~movement that shifts your mood~
Physical movement helps release built-up stress and regulate emotions. Walking, stretching, dancing, or quick exercises can create space between intense feelings and reaction!
~music that helps you process~
Create playlists for different emotions, calming, encouraging, or validating. Music can help us name feelings and feel understood!
~creative outlets~
Journaling, drawing, doodling, writing freely, or creating something messy gives emotions a safe place to come out without judgment!
~grounding tools for intense moments~
Techniques like holding ice, practicing 5-4-3-2-1, deep breathing, or focusing on physical sensations bring the nervous system back to the present!
~connection as a coping skill~
Reaching out to a trusted person, texting a safe adult, or sitting near family reminds teens they are not alone in hard moments!
~self-soothing through the senses~
Engage the senses to create comfort, wrap up in a soft blanket, drink something warm, go outside, use calming scents, or listen to soothing sounds. These small actions can quickly signal safety to the brain!
Reminder for parents:
Encourage experimentation, not every tool works every time, and that’s okay. Building awareness and practice strengthens resilience over time!
