Occasional stress, anxiety, and low mood may be a part of your life. These feelings are common for many of us. You may notice yourself having difficulty winding down at the end of the day. You may worry about things going wrong or even feeling like there is not much to look forward to. 

When you have these feelings, your coping toolbox can make a difference by helping you to take intentional care of your mental health and well-being. 

When you notice that your mind, body, and spirit need support, you can choose strategies that work best for you. Most young people rely on a mix of coping strategies both online and off. For example: 

  • Preferring to text a friend rather than call or meet up in person. 
  • Using digital platforms to cope with certain situations. 

No matter your preferences, it is important to map out your toolkit to support your well-being goals. Try these reflection exercises. 

Self reflection

Begin by reflecting on which coping style you are naturally drawn to using the table below, and then use the journal prompts to better understand your current toolbox. 

Looking back at what you wrote, do you have the coping options you need when your natural style may not be enough on its own? 

Explore all of the Relate content about digital peace activities:

References 

  • Hollenstein, T., & Faulkner, K. (2024). Adolescent digital emotion regulation. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 34, 1341–1351. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.13009 
  • Sharma, M. K., John, N., & Sahu, M. (2020). Influence of social media on mental health: a systematic review. Current opinion in psychiatry, 33(5), 467–475. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000631 
  • Shannon H, Bush K, Villeneuve P, Hellemans K, Guimond S. Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis JMIR Ment Health 2022;9(4):e33450 URL: https://mental.jmir.org/2022/4/e33450 DOI: 10.2196/33450
  • Nagata, J.M., Huang, O., Hur, J.O. et al. Health Benefits of Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults. Curr Pediatr Rep 13, 22 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-025-00357-7 

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    My Digital Sanctuary brings information and creativity together to support soul care, a holistic approach to emotional, physical and spiritual well-being from the Steve Fund. Created by mental health experts who specialize in serving young people of color and their families, My Digital Sanctuary shares the help, hope, and healing we need not just to survive but to thrive.