Which term describes the behaviors and thoughts used to manage stress?

Coping strategies refer to the specific behaviors and thought processes individuals employ to manage the stressors they encounter in their lives. These strategies can be diverse, encompassing both adaptive approaches (such as problem-solving and seeking social support) and maladaptive responses (like avoidance or denial). The focus on behaviors and thoughts emphasizes how individuals actively engage with their stress rather than simply responding to it.

While stress management techniques and cognitive restructuring are related concepts, they do not capture the full range of behaviors and thoughts that coping strategies encompass. Stress management techniques usually refer to broader practices designed to reduce stress overall, and cognitive restructuring is a specific approach that focuses on changing negative thought patterns to alleviate stress. Emotional regulation, on the other hand, deals more with managing one's emotional responses rather than the broader strategies that individuals might use to cope with stress. Thus, coping strategies aptly encapsulate the concept of managing stress through various cognitive and behavioral approaches.