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Coping trics aren't we all experts?

#1 Guest__*

  • Group: Guests

Posted 15 October 2001 - 12:20 PM

i think this is a great plan. actually only yesterday i made a list of things to do when i feel awfull. it was part of a declaration for myself in which i state that i won't hurt myself or pull myself down anymore whenever i feel lousy. (and i am not gonna take any sanctions when i break this pact).
this was my (therapist's) first suggestion. strangely enough : it works.

most effective thing for me is taking a shower, but you've already mentioned this.
other things that work for me are the taking-care-of-myself things. renting a video, putting a mask on, making coco.
and running of course, just going outsite makes a whole lot of difference. i made the intention to run everyday.
that's it basically  


#2 Guest_tkb_*

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Posted 15 October 2001 - 06:20 PM

-A long long active walk. The moving, the grounded-ness, and the physicality start often work their magic.
-Tai Qi, but go through the forms at half the speed. If I really do this--smoothly, properly, slowly, gracefully-it will work. (But its sooo hard to begin.)
-Play with dogs, or at least watch them play, or at the very very least, be around them.
Troy

#3 User is offline   els 

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Posted 17 October 2001 - 10:10 PM

:) I'm getting positive PM and smiling reactions from lots of people... I'm so happy about that !
Just thought I would let you know and maybe motivate even more people to respond. Even if yours is already in here somewhere, just repeat... it's wonderful to see you all coping :biggrin:

loving hugs
Els



#4 Guest__*

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Posted 18 October 2001 - 04:40 PM

Great thread, Els!
When I'm feeling down or depressed, I try to exercise.  And, if it's dark or after sunset, I'll turn on all the lights in the house.  I'm not sure why this helps, but it does.
When I'm feeling angry, I use a punching bag to relieve my rage.
hope these help someone else!
take care,
Shaina

#5 User is offline   Monika 

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Posted 05 November 2001 - 05:28 AM

Any chance of getting this thread in the wonderful threads forum? Love this one! Rain

#6 Guest_Littlest Star_*

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Posted 10 November 2001 - 11:19 AM

HAHAHA Di stole mine....i love to pop in them Disney movies.....and calling a friend is good too...and walking.....and showers...but only REALLY hot ones!!! good work els!!! (((((HUGS TO ALL))))))**

#7 User is offline   mandy 

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Posted 08 March 2002 - 04:35 AM

Money. I spend money.

No more needs to be said.


#8 Guest__*

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Posted 05 August 2002 - 01:03 PM

Usually I hop on my treadmill and have a really aggressive walk, or if I can't handle the physical, I read a lot. I also like to write about whatever it is I am trying to cope with, but haven't done much of this lately.

(Edited by liadan at 7:04 pm on Aug. 5, 2002)


#9 User is offline   Jessica 

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Posted 11 March 2003 - 02:32 PM

I should have looked for this before posting in My Voice.  I'm sorry.  Thanks for this thread, I'm going to read the whole thing.  

luv,
Yemaya


#10 User is offline   Crystal 

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Posted 12 March 2003 - 02:14 PM

Boost for 2andahalfyears

#11 User is offline   els 

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Posted 15 October 2001 - 09:58 AM

Hey you wonderful people !

All of us are experienced experts on how to cope even if we feel like everything is falling apart.
We've all been there : not coping but still going to work, feeling terrible but still going to that party, cried our eyes out to be at the supermarket half an hour later.
We all have our mechanisms. We all thank a lot to them.
But then we also know the days where those mechanisms we've come to trust seem to fail us... and we start grabbing around, hoping to find a new one that will work.

Soooo....

Why don't we all put our experience together... So that we can try another coping tric when our own seem to fail.

I'll start with mine.
I really hope you will all share. I would love to try some out.

Ok, when I feel terrible but I know I have to go and do something, I take a shower, a very hot one, and sing. Sounds simple, isn't always that easy though. Sometimes I just can't find a song to sing. Sometimes I have to force myself to keep singing after the first line, but it helps. The combination of the hot water running, hearing and feeling myself sing... it almost always does the tric.
:)

Hope to hear from all of you.

love

Els


#12 Guest__*

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Posted 15 October 2001 - 02:35 PM

(((((Elster)))))

Okay....coping strategies.

Sometimes a nap will stave off a mild impending depression. I have hot baths and listen to music. For fear and panic, it's good to hug somebody, it takes away that sense of not being "real".
Sometimes taking steps to help myself can make me feel immediately better, for example just the fact that I've made arrangements to talk to someone about the problem can increase feelings of strength.

Reminding myself again and again that the messages fear and depression give are not reflective of truth but are symptoms of trauma can help too.
Self nurture is important at these times too.....even if I feel like shit, I don't have to treat myself like it.

God! I think a sense of humour must be one of the best things in my repertoire...I don't fear what I can laugh at.
I read jokes; ridicule perpetrators, remember hilarious quips I have heard..

Remembering beauty is a powerful tool too; light in the dark...Ilook at my babie's smiles...the hue of a bright yellow daisy...the sweet, sweet strains of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor... going to my "Pandygirls" file to have a look at the gallery of pictures of wonderful women I have amassed there...no matter how ugly some things are, there is still bright, brilliant beauty in the world.

Sounds ridiculous, but buying something pink can be an immediate comfort to me...a pink headscarf, pink tee-shirt, bracelet with pink stones, any shade will do.

Remebering power...thinking about conquering goddesses...and that includes opening my Pandygirls file again. I also have several amazing pics of mythological goddesses, and looking at these strengthens me. I can also recall the times in my life where I have shown guts in the face of fear.

Focusing away from me a bit...I have friends that I cannot go too deeply with, but sometimes a cup of coffee and mild chit-chat takes me out of myself for awhile and that can be a relief...

Posting here, even if it's just asking for a hug.


Love to all

Rachel xxxxxx


#13 Guest__*

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Posted 15 October 2001 - 10:30 PM

boost :)

#14 User is offline   nature_mommy 

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Posted 17 October 2001 - 12:29 PM

well what i usually do i just did this last night i turn on tori amos usually boys for pele and i lay on my bed and just stare at my little ponies, you know the ones from the 80's my little pony.
looking at them brings me peace and comfort sometimes makes me sad though remembering the fun times as a child.

and sometimes i will put on my sound of wolves cd and light a bunch of candles and lay down and space out into that.. i have to lay down to be comfortable cause of my back problems.
it was actually hard for me to think of anything..
but if i have to go somewhere which i usually dont go anywhere if i dont want too, except for last saturday my cousin wanted me to go out with her and i was depressed and didn't really want too, but i decided i would and before she came i listend to tori amos and i dressed comfortably which comfort to me is not tight jeans hate that.
but still when i went out i wished i hadn't and i learned something from that.
from now on when i am feeling low and depressed i am not going anywhere cause even if i am having an alright time at first it always changes.
so usually i dont go anywhere..
(((((((((HUGS)))))))))


#15 Guest__*

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Posted 18 October 2001 - 01:28 PM

Els! wow,what a wonderful topic,and hey.....so i'm not the only one who does the shower/sing thing......thats funny i thought it was just me:)
Music is the biggest coping mechanism ever for me!
Januarygirl,you have great musical tastes!"fumbling towards ectasy"is my lullaby album right now,gets me peaceful each and every night.
herbal tea....yum......different kinds depending what mood i'm in.
painting......poetry writting.......
pandora's ......coming here is my way of coping,you beautiful people!
love you all
love willowgirl

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