Share your coping strategies

[Positive_vibes89]

We have times in our lives where we feel depressed. Depression can be chronic or it can come and go. " While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason" -Beyond Blue.

When you are feeling moody or low what do you do to cope? Let's all share our thoughts and strategies with others too so they can try them out when things get really tough. I shall start: When I was diagnosed with depression, I used frequent trips to the beach as an outlet. I took up body boarding, id go alone. There was something about the sea and water that bought me a sense of calm. Taking up my new hobby was the therapy I needed and it was fun. Doing a fun activity brought me out of my depressed mood. I also would go lie on that beach, close my eyes and listen to all the sounds around me. Eventually because of my new found hobby, I was able to come off my medication. To this day I am not medicated, instead I have my strategy. I also utilise the beyond blue hotline when I have a bad day. Just having a person listen makes a huge difference, feeling that somone cares for you. A complete stranger who does not know me or can judge me. I feel safe doing this and I always feel alot better after sharing my emotional burdens over the phone. I have that feeling of trust talking to the beyond blue phone support team. I am very greatful for the support beyond blue provides. Now it's your turn......what do you do?

[white knight]

Hi PV,

Great topic. Going to the beach is a good distraction. Bot, living with MI isnt easy, a constant challenge.

Distraction can come in the basic form of walking 200 metres around the block or to a park and back. It is truly amazing how even that short distance you'll see, feel, hear and smell things that take your attention off your woes. A short walk could be for some a major challenge while in depression.

Personally I've always thrived with a project, restoring a car, building cubbies with attic windows, building a train with a ride on mower and so on. Our latest hobby is a train set and slot car set combined. My wife enjoys building the buildings and painting the mini figurines. Some have described me as slightly eccentric but I just like doing things a little different as I get bored doing things conventionally.

In terms of mood, being bipolar it is a tough one to know what to do as one can only minimalise the effect on your life. Once I know I'm in a bad mood I tend to "wait it out" with minimum communication with anyone. I go into my own little world of thoughts. Normally it takes 3 hours to come good again. It's important not to place expectations on oneself.

I also, for relaxation, listen to Youtube videos of Prem Rawat Maharaji. He is amazing.

TonyWK

[Positive_vibes89]

They are some really good strategies and activities you do! I think keeping your mind busy and putting all your emotions into that activity really helps. And that is really awesome that you're very much aware of your mood changes and know that you just need to wait them out. What sort of car are you restoring?

[white knight]

Thanks

I've given up restoring cars now.

I've restored a Ford Zephyr mark 3, a FJ Holden and currently own a JBA Falcon tourer cream with black convertible roof.

I just finished building our own home (the 2nd I've built) hence sit back and smell the roses. I've built 2 caravans.

Being a handyman type it's odd that I never had a trade. Air Force, jail warder, dog ranger, security and ran my own investigation business...retired unwell at 57yo 8 years ago.

The new slot car set and train set combo will be less physically demanding lol.

So lots of variety is important in view of mental stability

What do you think?

TonyWK

[Petal22]

Hi Positive vibes89,

Great thread thank you 😊

Coping strategies for me……… I use the coping strategies I’ve learned through out my journey every day.

I also believe my coping strategies are skills and they are skills that I have been taught in therapy. They take practice but practice well worth it .

The coping strategies I learned were for my OCD…… which I have now recovered from …. I credit my coping strategies/ skills as something that keeps me recovered and out of my vicious OCD cycle.

Coping strategies/ skills

Meditation …… I credit this for getting me over line with my condition, it taught me that I’m not my thoughts but the watcher of my thoughts…. I do this on a daily basis and if I ever feel like I’m getting a bit caught up in my thoughts I can revert back to what I learned in meditation.

Mindfullness ……. I also do this daily… if an intrusive thought pops up I turn my attention to something in the present moment.

I practice gratefulness… this helps to bring positive emotions up in my body.

I practice reiki this makes me feel very calm…..

I like to go out for walks whilst being mindful.

I like to enjoy coffee with friends whilst out I make sure I put my attention on what my friends are saying and really enjoy the taste of my coffee whilst being mindful.

I also practice attention training….. even while do daily chores it keeps my attention on the present moment.

I have engrained these things into my daily routines and they really have paid off….. it just takes perseverance and practice. ❤️🦋

[Dean07]

Good topic.

I try to follow suggestions my therapist has suggested.

What generally works is to find a way of getting out of my head. This can be anything from walking the dog to doing a household chore. Anything that I have to pay attention to. This helps breaks the ruminating thoughts.

I find that if I'm feeling down and want to be on my own that this is a sign I need to find someone to be around. Other people are always doing things and have different subjects they want to discuss. It helps take you away from your troubles. It is difficult to hold a conversation and concentrate on your problems at the same time. Whilst I feel tired from being down and holding a conversation takes effort, I quite often come away felling energized.

[Positive_vibes89]

Thank you for sharing. Have you considered some journaling or creative writing? If you feel like sometimes it can be hard to verbally talk about your troubles, writing it down on paper may be the release that you need.

[Dean07]

I use a CBT app that combines journaling within a CBT based system. It's very good for challenging my negative thoughts. I've used it for about 20 years. It,s great for looking back and seeing how I'm going over time. It makes it easy to pick up reoccurring patterns. Unfortunately I hit the wrong button a year ago and lost all the information. Not the end of the world but disappointing. I'm still using it and have found a way of backing it up so should not happen again.

The sea is a great place to relax and get away from the world. I understand the attraction.

I was on medication about 10 years ago. I came off too but some days I wonder why. Most days are good.

I'm lucky that my work is usually enjoyable like a hobby. The reason I'm on the forum is work related. I'm self employed and am in the middle of shifting premises. Covid related. All the thinking and organising is overwhelming especially this close to Christmas. I'll get there but it pushes a lot of panic buttons.

Talking to people helps me to but I think my wife is tired of the anxiety. I have a psychologist who is helpful but in the end I still have to do the work.

I haven't tried the "Beyond Blue" helpline. I have looked up the number several time but haven't made the call. I not scared of talking on the phone but for some reason I haven't. Possibly it feels desperate or I'd be wasting someones time. I'm fairly hard on myself but after 40 years of counseling I think I know what I need to do and i need stop avoiding.

Thanks for your post it's a good topic.

[HereWeAre]

I have just come across this forum and this post is what showed up first and I’m enjoying reading other coping strategies 😊

Connecting with nature is really helpful for me: forest or beach are super soothing but if I can’t get there I will stand in my backyard and feel the earth beneath my feet, breeze on my skin, sun on face, sound of birds in my ears.

Recently I have been getting back into art which is also helpful. And sacred geometry in particular has been helpful in bringing me into the present moment.

[Positive_vibes89]

Hey Dean, can you please share this app that you use? I am sure eveyone would like to try it out, sounds really good.

Dean, you are never wasting anyones time if you call up beyond blue. The service is here to listen and support you. The forums are also a good way to receieve support too. I understand with your wife, my husband is like that too. Sometimes it feels they turn on the selective hearing, hence why I just call up beyond blue because I know that they have to listen! Yep, it is a busy time for everyone as well, if you feel the stress I do recommend giving beyone blue a call. It really does help to just dump the emotional load off you chest to a stranger. All the best with your business venture Dean!!!