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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)
lanejane
lanejanePosted 13-07-2015 09:26 PM

Comments (13 pages)

 
MochaChino
MochaChinoPosted 04-02-2019 05:00 PM

Watch a funny TV series...for me that is The Office Smiley Tongue

 
 
DruidChild
DruidChildPosted 05-02-2019 09:17 PM

Play animal crossing or another soothing video game 

 
 
 
drpenguin
drpenguinPosted 15-09-2019 08:29 PM

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!

 
 
 
 
Jess1-RO
Jess1-ROPosted 16-09-2019 03:45 PM

Getting out into nature, or looking at images of nature

 
 
 
 
 
Esperanza67
Esperanza67Posted 17-09-2019 11:03 AM

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!

 

giphy

 
 
 
 
 
xXLexi_Lou122Xx
xXLexi_Lou122XxPosted 28-09-2019 09:06 PM
This will be a bit gross,
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.
 
 
 
 
 
WheresMySquishy
WheresMySquishyPosted 14-11-2019 08:09 PM

- 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.

 
 
 
Jess1-RO
Jess1-ROPosted 21-02-2019 04:24 PM

Spending time with animals- eg: brushing/patting animals can be really soothing and also help in feel connected/grounded 

 

 
 
seadreamer
seadreamerPosted 19-09-2018 05:08 PM
Coping strategies: drawing and watercolours! Distractions: new season of outlander comes out in November!!! *eyes turn into love hearts*
 
 
 
litgym
litgymPosted 05-10-2018 06:32 PM

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 🙂

 
blobby
blobbyPosted 15-08-2018 04:20 PM

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. 🙂

 
 
DruidChild
DruidChildPosted 18-08-2018 12:35 PM

Make playlists on spotify/youtube 

 
ZayaQuark
ZayaQuarkPosted 09-04-2018 08:55 PM

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"

 
 
N1ghtW1ng
N1ghtW1ngPosted 14-07-2018 01:39 PM
Play with a slinky or stretchy thing or tangle (basically... stim :P)
 
 
 
N1ghtW1ng
N1ghtW1ngPosted 29-07-2018 11:41 AM
BUMPING THIS AMAZING THREAD! 😄

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!! Robot LOL
 
 
 
 
lokifish
lokifishPosted 29-07-2018 07:58 PM
Do some crosswords (and laugh at the mental image of some very cross words yelling at other words :P)
 
scared01
scared01Posted 06-03-2018 10:11 PM

@Chopsheres one thread that might help

 
scared01
scared01Posted 28-08-2017 03:46 PM

@anonymousnobody take a look through these and use them as much as you can

 
cerulean
ceruleanPosted 10-08-2017 08:50 PM

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
BeePosted 12-08-2017 09:39 PM

219. Build a flat pack piece of furniture 

 
 
 
rose13
rose13Posted 06-09-2017 04:16 PM

@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 Smiley LOL

 

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/ 

 
 
 
 
Bee
BeePosted 09-09-2017 06:46 PM
@rose13 (I don't think I've met you before - Herrrro *waves*)
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!!! 😄
 
 
 
 
 
scared01
scared01Posted 09-12-2017 01:31 PM

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 

 

 
 
 
 
 
linkinpark13
linkinpark13Posted 21-11-2018 10:02 AM

I love this thread! finding myself scrolling so far back to look at everyone's ideas Smiley Very Happy Heart

@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 Smiley Happy

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