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Different ways of coping/feeling better

Hey everyone,

Lately, I've found that multiple different things I've been doing to help me feel better have only been working for a short while. Like everything I try only works for maybe 5 days, a week. 

So I was wondering what other people do when they are feeling down. Because I'm thinking perhaps I might have to keep trying different ways until some things works for a bit longer. 

I'm also a bit worried that it might be a psychological thing. Like I think it will help, so it does for a while. And then I start worrying it won't for much longer and I'll just go back to normal. And then it happens. But I'm not sure.

Anyway, that might also be something my counselor can help me with when I meet her.

Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 26-12-2023 09:44 PM

Comments

 
Bel_RO
Bel_ROPosted 27-12-2023 03:27 PM

Hey @Lemon_Dolphin ,

I am sorry to hear that you’re having a tough time finding different ways of coping. Although, it is amazing to see you reaching out on the forums for some support. You should be so proud of yourself as it isn’t easy, and the journey of self-discovery can feel like walking in the dark at times. I also understand that it must be frustrating for you having tried many strategies that only seem to work for a short time. There are two threads here and here that can help you get some more information on dealing with anxiety and depression. 

 

I’d like to know about some of the ways you have tried to cope? There are two articles here and here that talk about different ways of coping and a bit of background when it comes to coping strategies that no longer work. You also mentioned that your counsellor can help when you meet her. Do you have an appointment coming up to see your counsellor? A professional can definitely help you work through what you have tried and will help you explore different ways of coping. 

 

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

 
 
Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 27-12-2023 05:43 PM

Well, I tried a spray to help sleep and boost my moods and it worked for maybe 5 days. Still helps me sleep a little bit better but not as well as before. But not so much with moods.

And I tried citrus scents, like candles and soap. And that worked really well. But it doesn't seem to work as much anymore either.

And I try keeping busy but I can still be feeling really bad the whole time.

Thanks for those articles. I'll have to look at them.

Yeah, I have a session booked in with a counselor but it's not till February because I'm going to be away all of January. It will be my first one ever so I don't know what I'll end up talking about and whether I'll get to talking about that.

 
Rara
RaraPosted 27-12-2023 01:16 PM

Hi @Lemon_Dolphin 

It's great to see you are reaching out to find different coping methods. I found I went through this for a while and even now, I can still go through this. 

When I'm feeling down I will go for a walk or to the gym, moving my body in some way always made me feel better and even when it wasn't working I persisted a bit whether it was simply trying something different like yoga or even just sitting on the floor stretching. 

 

I also listen to music and a variety of it, sometimes when I listen to something upbeat I feel better and get all this energy but at the same time listening to something sad helps as well. Listening to something sad can sometimes make me cry but it always makes me feel better and even belting it out in the car or shower helps as well. 

 

I found that when trying to make myself feel better I would throw myself right into and it didn't last where after a while I just sort of slowly took steps towards it and now they have stuck. With that being said some days it just doesn't work and those are the days I try to focus more on things like having a hot shower/bath, eating good food, drinking plenty of water, and basically focusing on my body to reset it sort of thing. I hope that makes sense. 

I hope this helps and your counsellor should be able to help you hopefully with this. 

 
 
Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 27-12-2023 02:03 PM

Thanks.

I haven't really tried exercise to feel better. I think I'm usually so exhausted and just feel like doing nothing. But I think it would definitely be helpful. My mum doesn't like me walking by myself, but it's fine if I go with friends or my twin sister. So maybe I'll be able to go out with her when I'm feeling sad.

Yeah, I usually listen to sad music because the lyrics are so true, but that can make it worse. So maybe I need to try some more upbeat music. What's your favorite upbeat songs?

I think I also do need to drink more water in general. So especially when I'm feeling low.

 
 
 
Rara
RaraPosted 29-12-2023 03:02 PM

Hi @Lemon_Dolphin 

I understand how you feel about being exhausted and feeling like doing nothing. Sometimes when you start the momentum it can help to keep going for the session, even setting little goals like 5-10 minutes, and at-home workouts are good. I found starting with exercise I like to help me get the momentum, I dislike anything core related so I don't start with them but like lunges or squats.

 

Some of my favourites are listening to childhood Disney songs haha, like Hannah Montana, Camp Rock etc, they are mostly upbeat. At the moment my favourite artist is someone named Griff, 19th Hour and Vertigo are my current favourites, they have an upbeat feeling to the song but at the same time still have somewhat sad lyrics so it's easy to belt out too. Another couple's favourite artists at the moment are Tate Macrae and Maisie Peters, they have upbeat stuff as well. 

 

With water, I like to clean my water bottle twice a week on my days off of work/uni. So what I do is make myself fill my water the night before and drink all the water to be able to wash the bottle. It helps make sure on those 2 days I am drinking at lest 2L of water. 

 
 
 
 
Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 29-12-2023 04:47 PM

Yeah, I haven't done many workouts. I usually walk or ride, sometimes run. But with walking, I've found I get tired so much quicker than I used to. I think my body is tired too.

 

I'll have to try some of those songs out sometime. I have listened to quite a few of Tate McRae's music too. It's pretty good.

 

That's a great way of making sure you drink enough water. I tried drinking 2 liters a day but it didn't last long. I think it does also make you happier drinking enough though.

 
 
 
 
 
Rara
RaraPosted 01-01-2024 03:45 PM

Hi @Lemon_Dolphin 

Sometimes when your body is tired it is okay to rest even just drop the intensity less time and distance. I even find sitting on the floor stretching helps when my body is tired but I still want to move. 

 

I think water can help make you feel more energised and refreshed and that's why you feel happier. If you struggle to drink water because of flavour you can try those cucumber or lemon water recipes which can be found online which can help you remember to drink water. 

 

 
Blueberry_Kudu
Blueberry_KuduPosted 27-12-2023 01:12 PM

Hi @Lemon_Dolphin 

Thanks for sharing this post. That's understandable that your coping mechanisms only work for a short while, sometimes it comes down to consistency and how often you do them as well. Lately, I've been feeling like I need to change up some of my coping mechanisms, so I've been trying to find different things as well. 

 

However, some things that I like to do when I'm feeling down are listening to music, doing some exercise or just talking it out with either a friend or family member. What kind of things have you been doing when you feel down?

 
 
Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 27-12-2023 01:58 PM

I have been trying strong scents because they kind of bring my focus from my mind to my surroundings. I also do a lot of writing, like writing out my emotions. Including a lot of poems.

I also think just talking to people helps. The only problem is sometimes I feel like a bit of a burden when I do that too often.

Though a lot of things I've been doing can also make me feel worse instead of better, especially writing and listening to music. I think it just depends on the day and the circumstances.

 
 
 
Blueberry_Kudu
Blueberry_KuduPosted 28-12-2023 06:15 PM

That's cool what kind of strong scents, like lavender? @Lemon_Dolphin 

 

I get what you mean with writing and listening to music making you feel worse. I guess it depends on what type of music, listening to upbeat and happy music is always what I like to do and it helps me, and with the writing I find is another great coping method because it feels good to write it out, but I know sometimes it has the opposite effect.

 
 
 
 
Lemon_Dolphin
Lemon_DolphinPosted 28-12-2023 08:32 PM

I do love the smell of lavender, but I think citrus helps the most. Though maybe I should try some new scents to see if another works.

Yeah, upbeat music is definitely good for boosting your moods. My problem is most my music is sad and not really upbeat because I like the lyrics of them.

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