Coping mechanisms for Low and Empty feels?!

[Mishmo]

What do you do...

...When you feel empty inside?
...When nothing cheers you up?
...When all you want to do is sleep the day away?
...When you feel so emotionless that you don't know who you are?
...When you feel so low you can't move?
Or all the above?!

What do you do to help you cope? To get you through to the next day? To help you find a glimpse of the happy you crave to feel?

I personally have, over the last 15 plus years, struggled with my fair share of all the above. In the beginning it was hard to know how to deal with such times. I know have a few coping strategies to help pass the time till those feelings pass. I am currently in one of these low times and just riding the waves... and I thought I would reach out, start a chat, and maybe it may help someone who is yet to work out a coping skills for them in such times.

I thought it would be nice to hear how you may cope with these times/feelings.

• Watching some old comedy sitcoms or old school funny cartoons.
• Sleeping the day away if and where possible. I find sleeping sometimes help reset the feelings (not always effective). But please note: it is okay to do so.
• Zoning out in a monotonous game while listening to a sound track of choice.

Just a couple to start, how about you?

[HappyHelper88]

Hello Mishmo I'm so sorry your in a low time but glad that you have your strategies to cope,
I have had some low times in my life and I'm doing great at the moment but here are my coping strategies

-Spending time with my Dog, he's my rock
-Spending time in bed relaxing watching movies
-Cooking my favourite foods and then eating them
-Excercise, usually long walks

Cant wait to hear some more

[geoff]

Hello Mishmo, and a warm welcome to the forums.

Your post is very pertinent to the topic and yes that's how we can feel, but it might change from day to day and even after having a sleep you may feel better or it could make you feel worse only until you wake up.

I used to watch TV as well as listen to a record at the same time and as these were happening, I'd like to paint the outside windows, although they didn't need to be painted, painting like this was some how soothing for me as well as throwing the ball for my puppie, a great mass of complication, I know, other times just sitting outside overlooking the view took time away.

When the kids were due home I'd pretend to be doing something, making out that I was OK and then drive them to football, basketball or to a friends place where I would collapse into a chair until they were ready to be picked up.

My wife back then was always working and we lived about 5 km out of town.

It was, however, a different world I was accustomed to.

Geoff.

[Stui]

Hi Mishmo, thank you for sharing. We all low times in our life when things just get to much I know I do. I find the best way through is to watch something funny and raise my spirits and sometimes listening to the radio or a uplifting play list and singing along, as bad as I may sound!! Life has ups and downs all the time all that we can do is push on through until we reach a happy time.

[Positive_vibes89]

Dear Mishmo, Thank you for posting and sharing this excellent topic.

I feel that having a plan of coping strategies is really an excellent idea. For me I like to:

-Call beyond blue when I need somone to talk to that is not a family member or a friend. I feel sometimes that the people most close to us sometimes dont have the capacity to show empathy or understand how we are feeling. Its not that they dont care, its that they just dont understand or know how to help. I find speaking to a total stranger very therapeutic, non judgemental and I get a relief after ive lightened my emtional baggage.

-I love to shut off all technology and paint. I buy paint by numbers sets off ebay. I find it very calming and relaxing. Sitting there in silence and listening to my own thoughts. Thinking about situations and how I can deal with them. It gives me a clearer mind and though process.

- I like to go sit outside in my garden. Fresh air helps me to clear my mind and the sunshine warmth feels great too. I feel cooped up inside being overwelming, so taking some time to sit outside is really nice.

- I also enjoy my home gym, I put on a movie and go for a walk on my tredmill.

[chadicha]

Hey Mishmo, thank you for sharing such a raw and real post. I personally find when i feel like this i will do these things;

- Sit with myself and let myself rest in bed by taking a break from tasks that seem monotonous and are draining me further

- Put some positive/uplifting music on, might dance or sing to feel even better

- Get in nature and go for a walk, turn off the phone.

- I connect with God and read the bible, often fills me back up with a sense of purpose and renewal and that through his strength i can get through anything. That there really is purpose in my pain/emptiness.

- Try to spark my own creativity eg. playing some guitar over my favourite song

[TunnelVision]

Thank you Mishmo for starting this thread. I'll be interested to see what other people list that helps them as it's something I'm struggling with these days; I've gotten way out of touch with doing things that I enjoy or even knowing what they are any more, so I don't have any health self-soothing activities at the moment.

I used to crochet - that was an exercise in mindfulness for me once upon a time, or getting out for a bushwalk would bring me back in touch with myself but I am struggling to find the motivation to do those things at the moment.

[quirkywords]

Mishmo

what a helpful thread

I like

funny uk panel shows on youtube

looking at old books

volunteering

sitting in a park and admiting nature

playing with an energetic toddler

watch children laugh and play

play funny word games with a child

[batticus]

I have frequent bouts of that kind of mood... feeling low/empty

Running has helped me a lot - I run 10kms and I feel so much better afterwards.

It's a catch 22 though - when you're feeling down like that, the motivation is simply not there. I have to force myself to do it, but it seems to be working. I'll feel better for the next couple days generally.

[Positive_vibes89]

batticus, yes i used to do the same. By the time you have finished exercising you are too tired to stay moody. All the energy you would use on your mood has gone into all that physical work. Well done for discovering a strategy that really works for you, keep it up!