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1000001 COPING STRATEGIES & DISTRACTIONS
Hey! So @j95 and I came up with a cool idea to have the longest list of coping mechanisms EVER.
Use this list when you're feeling down as a way to get through the day or night!
Help us add to it by giving us ONE SUGGESTION PER POST 🙂
My first coping mechanism suggestion is:
- SNUGGLING YOUR DOGS FOR 5 MINUTES. (Cos dogs are the best)
Like @DruidChild said, life simulation video games are a great distraction when you need it! They allow anyone to experience a variety of real life activities without consequence or stress at their own pace! Some examples of these types of games are:
- Animal Crossing (all Nintendo consoles) – A social simulation video game that is open ended in what should do.
- Stardew Valley (almost all platforms, even iOS and android) – A farming simulation role-playing game where you take over your grandpa's old farm.
- Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons (all Nintendo consoles) – A farming simulation role-playing game where you build up a farm.
- My Time at Portia (PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS4) – A building-focused simulation role-playing game where you build up your workshop by crafting and building things.
There are also so many more other simulation games that can be fun and distracting even for a moment!
I recently got into journaling which I think is a great way of letting out all your current stresses, worries and other thoughts into paper!
But watching blackhead removals are really satisfying to me.
Other slime videos can be good too, but blackheads and ASMR are all good videos to watch.
- Watching TV/Netflix/YouTube videos.
- Playing with pets.
- Going to a place with a lot of people, such as a coffee shop.
- Cuddling a stuffed animal.
- Looking at pictures of family and friends.
- Going to a park.
- Going to the cinema.
- Scrapbooking or making a collage.
- Colouring in.
Spending time with animals- eg: brushing/patting animals can be really soothing and also help in feel connected/grounded
if you have the urge to hurt yourself draw a butterfly on yourself. pick a person who will represent that butterfly, if you try and do something dangerous you kill the butterfly. the aim is keep yourself safe for however long the butterfly lasts on yourself and it is a good way to reduce danger 🙂
I don't know what number we're up to. Spend some time writing a poem or a creative piece. It really helps to get your feelings out when you need to. 🙂
look up inspirational quotes on the internet (i then print them out, sick them on cardboard and put them around my room, I swear my room has more quotes, places, and cool-looking planets and other weird stuff than the universe has stars)
=============================
"impossible is a mere theory"
definition of flying: "throwing yourself at the ground and missing"
To all our new (and old :D) users, here is an never-ending list of coping strategies and distractions that might give you some ideas for yourselves 🙂 Also, if you're lazy (like me) check out this post linked below for an categorised list of all the coping strategies listed since the start of last year.
https://forums.au.reachout.com/t5/Everyday-life-stuff/1000001-COPING-STRATEGIES-amp-DISTRACTIONS/m-p/217907/highlight/true#M16036
(I should update it :P)
Have fun!!
@anonymousnobody take a look through these and use them as much as you can
218 (?). Reading or writing some poetry. Or lyrics if you're musical.
Isn't it funny, the things that we say,
Both gain and lose power
When down on the page?
Seeing them there and speaking aloud,
I see them for what they are:
- words -
And in writing, let go of some rage.
@Bee there is something so satisfying about successfully building flatpack furniture!! Although in my experience I often end up a little frustrated if it doesn't work out
One of my favourite coping strategies/distractions is to get up and make a 'mug' cookie in my microwave - for anyone interested this is one of my favourite recipes! http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2012/03/06/chocolate-chip-cookie-in-cup/
Yes that is true! I find I almost always think I don't need the instructions so I start and go about it the hard way, then realise there is an easier way which the instructions says LOL
OOOOOOOH that looks super YUMMM!!! 😄
the worry box
this is very simple but could help. the aim of it is to set up a time to worry about specific things but after that its put away and basically tell yourself not to worry about it anymore.
the first thing to do is to make up some cards about palm sized, you can decorate them but dont make them too busy otherwise itll distract you. you can make up a a few of these each set with their own worry
a few of mine are : my pop (then i add the date and time of his appointment), lack of friends, lack of relationships each on separate cards. place these cards into a box, i call mine the worry box.
for each card set a timer for say 15 minutes, write/journal, cry, scream, worry anything you like for those 15 minutes then put that card away and get on with your day. that worry wont leave overnight, however letting it rule your day/life isnt very productive.
having this physically in front of you, for me anyway. i find it easier than having to visualise me picking a card about and putting it away.
that is why its called the worry box- it has your worries inside and under wraps until your ready to dealw ith each one
I love this thread! finding myself scrolling so far back to look at everyone's ideas
@scared01 I love love loooove your worry box idea! I think I am going to start my own, I am very much the same in that having the box/cards physically in front of me would make it more real and meaningful. I've tried the same concept with a few apps on my phone and the ReachOut worry time app too but always found that it didn't quite help me the way I wanted so this is perfect and I can't wait to try it!
my favourite coping strategy at the moment is keeping a small journal with me in my bag at all times and when I have a worry/anxiety pop up I write it down and put it away until a certain time.
When that time comes I get the journal out and write down 1 small, achievable, timely goal that I can work towards for each worry and put it away again until tomorrow or the next time I set for me to check in with myself