Coping now and braving emotional challenges

@pamharley003

What are some coping mechanisms you use to cope with challenges?

Supportive self-talk, affirmations and the stop technique (dbt awareness technique) as well as meditation help me a great deal.

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Hi, Pam,

Thank you for posing this thoughtful question.

My answer is:

Exercising: almost always raises serotonin level and mood; increases sense of community; muscles get moved that otherwise wouldn’t be moved.

Meditation: taking time away from any devices (computer/phone) provides some stress release.

Play music loudly when driving: this just helps with the general dumpster fire.

Read: I read Irv Yalom’s books, and many other texts. Reading about another person’s perspectives and finding out their ideas is a sure way to broaden my mind.

Thanks for your service to this community.

With Love and Courage and Hope,

Calm Rosebud

@pamharley003

It depends what the challenge is about. If it is physical, I am game, within reason of course. If it is social, I ENJOY those challenges.  If it is administrative, I need to push myself through after some avoidance time - in fact, I challenge myself to get this done and fell better later on.

Being a musician and a frequent public speaker, the best thing to do then was to be very ready and be confident that if people were there in front of me, it was because they were looking forward to hearing what I had to say or play. It would take a lot to disappoint them. 

Some challenges are met with inertia until I am well and ready, such as harassment and non-constructive criticisms. 

What are some coping mechanisms you use to cope with challenges?

@pamharley003 I try to do Tai Chi every day. It helps me stay grounded and not react to what is happening around me,