If faced with an emotional event, which coping strategy should you use?

Talking to a trusted friend or adult is a highly effective coping strategy when faced with emotional events. This approach allows individuals to express their feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment. Sharing emotions can help in processing the experience, gaining perspective, and receiving comfort or guidance. Trustworthy individuals can often provide valuable insights or reassurance that might be difficult to arrive at by oneself.

In contrast, keeping feelings to oneself can lead to increased stress and feelings of isolation. Without expressing emotions, an individual might struggle to effectively manage their feelings, which can exacerbate emotional distress. Engaging in risky behavior may provide a temporary distraction but does not address the underlying emotions and can lead to further complications. Similarly, using avoidance techniques, such as ignoring or trying to escape from feelings, does not foster emotional processing and can prolong or worsen emotional struggles. Thus, talking to a trusted friend or adult is the healthiest and most constructive strategy in this context.