My Toolbox
I am sharing my top 5 coping skills, from my own lived experience, that help me when I feel down.....they are essential parts of my wellness toolbox and my overall recovery journey.
1. Get outside, go for a walk or just be in nature, the beach is my all time favorite spot
2. Listen to Music!
3. Call a friend or relative, chat online, just connect to someone
4. Exercise, walk or dance by yourself
5. Take a nap! Rest helps me feel better and start fresh
I hope these help, please share what your coping skills are. Someone could really use more tools to add to their toolbox......
I LOVE THIS!
Instead of writing my own top 5 tools, I was inspired to share my thoughts in regards to orginal tools you mentioned. It really got me thinking and imagining the possible interpretations of these great suggestions.
1. Get outside, go for a walk or just be in nature, the beach is my all time favorite spot
Light therapy box
Open the curtains and sit near a window
Care for plants indoors or bring fresh flowers into your home
Watch footage of beautiful nature scenes (youtube is AMAZING for this)
Use fresh herbs in your cooking and take time to touch and smell them
Diffuse essential oils that remind you of your favourite places in nature
2. Listen to Music!
Music can have a profound effect on our mood :)
Try to figure out what kinds of music bring your energy up and make you feel uplifted, and avoid music that brings you down until you are feeling better
3. Call a friend or relative, chat online, just connect to someone
Reaching out to people you haven't spoken to in a while can help make your social network feel a little better
- "Hey, it's been a while. I was just thinking about you and was wondering how you've been lately"
If no one is available there are two great mental health apps I use "Youper" and "Wyssa". They are AI chat robots that use theraputic techniques to help suppliment your well being toolbox
4. Exercise, walk or dance by yourself
If you don't have the energy, just taking a few breaths and moving your arms up with the in-breath and down with the out-breath can have a nice energizing effect at a lighter physical cost
5. Take a nap! Rest helps me feel better and start fresh
@bayandclove Wow! This was great, I loved your thoughts and your suggestions are so helpful! Thank you....
@bayandclove love your response!
@bayandclove I agree with your additional to the begining thread. I sometime add even sad and angry music in a mixture of a playlist with excerising but it works for me to release frustions and than have different cool down and relaxing moment any one else?
@bayandclove
@bayandclove This is really, really awesome! Thank you :)
@bayandclove Those are really good coping mechanisms
@Ladyofthesea458 wohoo love this! #5 ha ha, yes!
Hi, I also created a forum post with some helpful resources: Click here
@Ladyofthesea458
@DanaMH These are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them!
You are so welcome!
@bayandclove
@DanaMH Those are great!! Thanks for sharing!
@Ladyofthesea458
You are so welcome!
Thank you for sharing lots (@Ladyofthesea458)
But (Hiaz... why i always talk with a but)
1. Get outside, go for a walk or just be in nature, the beach is my all time favorite spot
tried before...
previously was still ok ok... tried to be mindful
mindful of being in the present
slowly became dreadful
dreadful became bullimic distress
2. Listen to Music!
this was always my first
or rather my go-to when i was younger, working - previously
live radio (anime, local radio)
youtube (english, power ballad, love, sad, hits)
now...
podcast/blog (eating disorder, recovery, minimalist, what i eat in day, lifestyle, health tips, nutrition tips, health troubleshooting)
3. Call a friend or relative, chat online, just connect to someone
nope... no one to.
online chat... seem to "deviate/avoid" me.
probably i tried too hard... or i am just not a socialable person (anyways i am very introverted, its like my style)
4. Exercise, walk or dance by yourself
exercise... hiaz.
started feeling like the same as walking
initially i lost my energy/strength.
now recovered some, and became a routine/compulsive
but lately seemed like i lost some again...
5. Take a nap! Rest helps me feel better and start fresh
i find it difficult....
to sleep properly...
Ive had some of these same difficulties. What does help? Do you create art? That helps me. I find even if I draw a picture of myself crying theres still something helpful about it. Maybe thats just me though.
Ive had some very dark days and I find that its been good for me to accept that sometimes its just dark- so long as I reach for help if I feel unsafe. Please talk to someone if you feel overwhelmed. You matter! @mikenai22
@Caregiver38
Ive had some of these same difficulties. What does help? Do you create art? That helps me. I find even if I draw a picture of myself crying theres still something helpful about it. Maybe thats just me though.
Ive had some very dark days and I find that its been good for me to accept that sometimes its just dark- so long as I reach for help if I feel unsafe. Please talk to someone if you feel overwhelmed. You matter! @mikenai22
Thank you caregiver for sharing.
I felt very lost actually... like what works, what doesn't.
Talking about art. (I'll post later.)
I just started like a few days back. (but now felt like it is a waste of time, resource, brain juice from decision making of color to use, marker or color pencils, last time i used to do reference drawing, which ended up having the same feeling)
Hmm... draw ownself. okays.. got it.
Not like I dont want to find others to talk to.
But rather, I feel very "unsupported" when talking to others.
Worse off those that are "chargable" i.e. therapist, psychologist which are time-based/limited and not necessary helping all times...
online forums, well... there are good days, and bad days...
most of my threads went silent nor answered.
but thanks for replying this post at least (to be positive about)
@mikenai22 I was so happy to see you wrote back! I have a hard time turning to people who are paid as well. They help but its not the same as someone who just wants to be there. Rest assured though I care.
I think one important thing in difficult times is to be gentle with yourself. I keep a list of self-care tasks that work for me and on the days when everything feels bleak I choose something from my list and do that. Today is a hard day so I might try a couple from my list. I find this helps when I cant find anyone to lean on. Im starting with a cup of hot cocoa and an old paperback to read.
@Caregiver38
just find it difficult...
difficult to break the comfort routines
dunno. hiaz.
stupid eating disorder habits formed over time is just not making life better.. (but it's probably all in the mind)
everything is must be correct
balanced meals
not over excessive calories
must exercise daily to clock govt recommendations
self care... unable to... Everytime I wanted to. something will lean towards comfort.
all online articles that I have read... hiaz.. is just for reading.
@mikenai22 its okay to rely on routine for comfort. Just try to expand your comfort zone a little at a time. I have depression and my son is disabled, for my son we have to work very slowly at changing any of his routines.
It may not feel like youre making progress but those tiny steps create huge changes over time. Your artwork, your sharing, the fact that youre looking for help is huge! Im sure it felt almost impossible at first. It definitely did for me. At least now I know what Im battling and I know I am a warrior.
@Caregiver38 as promised.
All drawings belongs to the respective rightful owners.
I only colored them.
@mikenai22 Thanks for sharing this , it's very beautiful, you have great coloring skills! Do you draw?
@Ladyofthesea458
thank you for compliment. (thou this is where I usually negate my thought process)
art/drawing/coloring was never my hobby/forte
nevertheless I did some simple couple drawings (shading types in the past)
They
@Caregiver38
you are more than welcome.
only problem is my motivation to saueezw the effort to upload and type and share
@Caregiver38 Art is a great way to express our emotions! There is something powerful in being able to use color and no words right??
@Ladyofthesea458
to be honest... it was kinda stressful... to find the correct color..
matching color...
correct tool...
correct shade.
my stupid perfectionist mindset.
@mikenai22 if you want you might go for a more abstract creation if choosing color is difficult: You could try picking the color with your eyes closed and see what the image becomes with a different color that you might expect. Sometimes its just crazy looking but every once in a while it comes out magical. In any case you get to take control, its your expression that matters.
@Caregiver38
hmm never thought of that (but well that be a start to move away from perfectionist)
but my fear of being "wrong" is in the way
imagine Pikachu in green or blue color.. I can't think what will happen
like the feeling of everything is spoiled
hence I kept looking for the perfect cute cartoons to color with...
@mikenai22 I get it. A different perspective is an option but only if it works for you. You kinda have to be in that mood. Its great that youre getting to share though.
(Shameless) Sharing of my post. Instead of retyping the entire story again.
Somehow decided to go for the activity... despite wanting to "clear" home problems.
These "hama beads" was floating in my mind (during my weakest ED period, darkest times moment - as compared to now)
But i hesitated for a very long time... (chanced this opporunity + volunteer activity... although i am very fearful)
Adding a couple of mine...
1. Laughter. It's not always easy, but depending on how much I can concentrate it can be anything from a funny book to a funny series to a youtube video of a goat playing on a trampoline. Even if it's not a big laugh, it draws air into my lungs and helps a lot.
2. There's a video that sometimes shows up on my 7 cups Progress Path page. It's this geometric shape that expands and collapses. The instructions are to breath in as it gets smaller, breathe out as it gets bigger. This is the first time that any breathing exercises worked for me. I love it. I wish I could access it on demand but when it's there. I just watch and breathe.
3. I pet my dogs. The best therapy in the world is running my hands over their fur. They love it too.
4. Crying. Sometimes a very sad story will do it. I've also recently found that going on 7 cups as a member helps release a lot of pent up tears. I always feel slightly better afterwards.
5. Looking at plants or at a green spot in the landscape and let it draw me in. It's amazing how many details start appearing when you really look.
@Trespaiseslindos These are excellent coping tools!
I find the breathing shape very useful as well. You may be very pleased to know that there are tons of these all over the internet, and just a Google search for "breathing shape" away.
I found them, @bayandclove. Thank you so much!
@Trespaiseslindos so glad I could help!
@Trespaiseslindos Those are great!! I have 2 dogs, interacting with them is the best. They are great companions and great listeners too. 
Something about cuddling with them makes you Happy!
Crying is a good way to release emotions......I feel better too after a good cry. Thanks for sharing with us!!
@Trespaiseslindos Those are really good coping methods <3
@Trespaiseslindos Those are really good coping methods <3
@Ladyofthesea458 Lady, thank you😊❤
@intellectualFan8782 Glad you liked those tools! Hopefully they help you too.
I really respond well to art. I look at it online and have pencils and paper close by most of the time. I paint and do ceramics but thats not always available to people but art can be created out of almost anything.
My grandmother taught me how to make things out of old boxes and tape. It can become a canvas and frame for paper mache works of art. I can loose hours with flour water and old newspapers on a rectangle of cardboard.
Speaking of boxes, that reminds me of blanket forts. Just because Im no longer a child its not like Ive given up on the comfort they bring. A bag of popcorn and a good book in a blanket fort has a magical effect on a day of sadness.
@Caregiver38 You have inspired me to make a fort!! I miss doing that as a kid, well on my next rainy day, I'm building a fort! I use to use chairs to hold the blankets in place and then filled the fort with pillows, what fun it was......
@Ladyofthesea458
@Ladyofthesea458 I agree with your toolbox with coping with depression. Thank you for sharing
My coping skills are:
*reading
*playing with my cat
*coloring
*going for a walk, yoga, full body stretching
*taking a nap
*watching tv/movie
*spending time with my husband
*playing a game on my phone
I hope these help!
@K87 Those are great! Thanks for sharing!