“The best way out is always through.”
~ Robert Frost
Ah yes, sitting in the discomfort – the eternal struggle of every human being on this planet. Who doesn’t want a quick fix to feeling all the feels that comes along with life’s stressors! I get it. We’re human. If we put our hand on a hot flame, we recoil instantly. We are conditioned to seek immediate relief. It’s a life-saving reflex. So, it only makes sense that you want to distract yourself or divert your attention away from such distress. It’s easy to check out with things like emotional eating, binge-watching tv, busying yourself with to-do lists or being enmeshed with the person you are dating. And sometimes finding healthy ways to cope can feel like more work.
However, the big downside to this exchange is that the immediate relief is not lasting and the root problem is not addressed. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms fail to provide any long-term comfort or solutions. They, instead, make things worse! Emotional eating, especially, always leaves you with two problems. To begin with, you have the one you ate over. And on top of that, you have the negative emotions like guilt, shame and self-pity that often kick in afterwards. And if you engage in this cyclical process for too long, insanity begins to set in. In other words, you’ll find yourself doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results! If you’ve had enough and finding healthy ways to cope has moved to the top of your priority list, check out some of the suggestions below.
Top Five Healthy Ways to Cope
1. Get your zen on: Meditation, yoga, or just sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing can help you feel more centered and less frazzled. Even one minute lying on the floor doing 4 count breathing (four seconds to inhale, four seconds to hold your breath and four seconds to exhale) can make a huge difference. I know I have mentioned this in my previous blog posts before, but that’s because it’s worth repeating (and doing)!
2. Make time for self-care: Take a bath, read a book, listen to music or do some journaling to give your feelings an outlet. It’s not selfish; it’s necessary. Taking care of your self can also mean choosing healthy foods, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated.
3. Sweat it out: Exercise is a great way to release pent-up stress and energy. Whether it’s a jog around the block or a dance class, find something that gets your blood pumping. And if you find it difficult to dance in a group, put on some music at home and try dancing for at least one song.
4. Connect with others: Social support is essential for managing stress and anxiety. So, make sure you stay connected with friends and family, and consider joining a support group if you need it. Volunteering in your community is also beneficial. Helping others can give you a sense of purpose, connection and appreciation.
5. Partake in some fun and laughter: Watch a funny movie, look up some of your favorite comedians on YouTube or go to a comedy show. You can even ask Siri to tell you a joke. Laughter really is good for the soul!
More Ways to Consider
6. Take a break before you break: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just step away from whatever is stressing you out. Take a day off work, unplug from social media or go on a mini-vacation.
7. Change your environment: This one is very simple and most often overlooked. Maybe you have been cooped up too long in your home or you have set in front of the computer for hours on end. Just changing your environment can make an impactful difference on your stress level. Try going for a walk, running an errand or taking a shower.
8. Manage Your Time: Feeling overwhelmed can contribute to stress and anxiety, so managing your time can be an effective way to reduce these feelings. Prioritize your tasks and don’t be afraid to say no if you need to. What are you saying yes to that really is a no for you? This is a huge energy zapper and life stressor for many of my clients.
9. Practice Gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful way to shift your focus away from stress and anxiety and toward the positive aspects of your life. Take time to reflect on the things you’re grateful for and try to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. To deepen your experience, actively reflect on what you’re grateful for by writing out the why. For example, if I write, ‘my home,’ next to it I would write, ‘I can relax.’
10. Try Something New: Trying something new can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. You may be a little nervous, initially, because it’s new or you’re trying it on your own. That is completely normal and will subside quickly. The possibilities are endless here: a new hobby, restaurant or neighborhood to explore in your area just to name a few. Doing something new can be stimulating. It can get you out of your comfort zone and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Wrapping Up
While there is no quick fix to dealing with life’s ups and downs, there are plenty of healthy ways to cope. However, every single one of them may not work for you when you’re feeling stressed, anxious or uncomfortable. Although this may be the case, embracing an open and willing mindset allows you to uncover at least one or two tools that offer comfort and/or joy. I encourage you to continue exploring what works for you. What may be effective for one person might not necessarily align with your individual needs. And you may find that a combination of these tools and approaches is needed to experience a noticeable shift in your well-being.
It’s also worth noting that each situation and set of emotions can call for something different. You may discover that while dancing works when you feel anxious and discontent, changing your environment works when you feel agitated. The first step here is to simply choose one of the approaches outlined above and give it a go! Be patient with yourself and this process. If you’re interested in delving deeper into discovering and adopting healthy coping mechanisms tailored to your needs, I invite you to schedule your complimentary 30-minute session with me. During this time, you have the freedom to inquire about any questions you may have, or alternatively, we can use it as an authentic coaching session.
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