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0 By Natalie Patrick
I’ve been craving Bacon Maple bars from Hurt’s Donuts all day. That oh-so-sweet maple crust with that yummy bacon topping gets me every time. If you haven’t tried these donuts, you just NEED to treat yourself!
Coping mechanisms
Coping outlets … Basically, another term for ‘coping mechanisms.’ It’s finding a healthy activity that you can do to help overcome obstacles when you’re stressed, depressed or anxious. It’s really important to manage stress in a healthy, positive way. Resorting to negative behaviors will be a guaranteed way to lose the fight against mental illness.
Unhealthy examples
Here are some examples of unhealthy coping outlets that you should change TODAY:
starving yourself (you have to eat to survive!)
eating too much (avoid too much sugar and caffeine)
cutting, pinching, punching
pulling out hair
biting nails
drinking alcohol/doing drugs
taking too much anxiety medication (did you know that medications like Xanax or Klonopin can make your anxiety worse?)
body shaming
suicidal tendencies
Positive changes
It’s time to make some positive changes in your life! Kick depression to the curb, and show anxiety who’s boss! I created the ultimate list of coping outlets to help you win the fight against stress and mental illness. There’s something in this list for everyone.
Try out a few, find out what makes you happy and motivated. Don’t do something that you dread. If you don’t like to garden, then don’t go planting flowers. Keep this list handy! When you’re depressed, stressed or anxious, just pick one of these activities to do to trick your mind into happiness and relaxation! Remember, every day is a new day, and every day that you practice using positive coping outlets, the quicker you will overcome stress and mental illness.
The ultimate list
THE ULTIMATE LIST OF COPING OUTLETS
(FOR THOSE FIGHTING DEPRESSION & ANXIETY)
- Go sit outside and enjoy nature
- Check out these 10 depression quotes that could change your life!
- Give yourself a facial (check out these DIY masks)
- Take a hot, herbal bath with my handcrafted Bath Spell sachets, only on Etsy! Try out the Anxiety & Depression herbal sachet!!!
- Try these yoga poses
- You HAVE to try out this grounding exercise!Read the Harry Potter books (or any book)
- Pedicure time!
- Get artistic with adult coloring books
- Drink hot, herbal tea
- Ride a bike
- Try out these breathing exercises!
- Cook a healthy meal, like this: Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
- Go swimming!
- Try meditation
- Paint your fingernails
- Try watercolor painting
- Relax in a hot tub or steam room
- Walk around the block
- Lie out in the sun or go tanning in a booth (this will give you a boost of Vitamin D Happiness)
- Have a glass of wine
- Eat healthy snacks like these
- Go walk the dog
- Read a magazine
- Listen to stand-up comedy on Pandora
- Dance to your favorite music
- Start a workout plan
- Hike a trail
- Go fishing
- Learn how to be a photographer
- ing your heart out!
- Write some poetry
- Try a DIY hair mask
- Take a jog through the park
- Catch up on housework: laundry, dusting, mopping
- Take a small nap
- Plant some flowers or bushes
- START A BLOG!
- Buy some new shoes or lingerie
- Put on some makeup (want that sexy cat eye?)
- Call a friend or your mom
- Stretch out your muscles
- Learn how to meal prep
- Use mindfulness
- Go get a massage
- See a therapist
- Work on those abs!
- Re-decorate your house
- Paint your bedroom (2017 Paint Color Trends)
- Organize everything!
- Clean out your closet
- Have a yard sale
- Drive around town
- Go to Starbuck’s
- Try out something new like Hurt’s Donuts
- Watch a movie or tv show
- Go to a museum
- Make some pottery
- Plant a tree
- Start recycling
- Learn how to sew or crochet
- Adopt a pet from a shelter
- Use essential oils
- Learn a new language (I’m trying to learn French)
- Take a hot bath with epsom salts
- Play Candy Crush or solitaire
- Do crossword puzzles or word searches
- Start journaling
- Track your moods
- Take a college course
- Lift weights
- Get a spray tan
- Buy some new makeup
- Take selfies and bask in all the compliments
- Travel somewhere new (I’m planning for Portland, Oregon)
- Play some sports
- Join a gym
- Write and mail letters to your friends
- Unplug from social media
- Bake some cupcakes
- Go rollerskating
- Enjoy a movie at the theater (my local drive-in theater is opening this weekend!)
- Send your loved one flowers or a card
- Play hackeysack
- Put lotion on from head to toe
- Make a gratitude list
- Compliment yourself!
- Try surfing or sailing
- Buy a comfy robe and slippers
- Use a heating/massage pad
- Change your look! Get your hair cut and colored!
- Drink lemon water!
- Eat these healthy foods to fight anxiety!
- Do a marathon
- Give to charity
- Volunteer
- Speak up for mental illness and help fight stigma!
- Give someone a compliment
- Braid your hair
- Try drawing
- Get crafty!
- Make your bed (put some lavender essential oil on your sheets and pillows)
- Rub a worry stone or Lepidolite
- See a play or Opera
- Try ballet or tap dancing (I was in ballet for almost ten years! Very therapeutic!)
- Write a book
- Create a recipe
- Make soy candles with essential oils
- Write a letter to your idol
- Go to a concert
- Hit up the batting cages
- Play miniature golf
- Go to a football or baseball game (Go St. Louis Cardinals!)
- Ride some roller coasters
- Have fun canoeing or water rafting
- Plant a vegetable or herb garden
- Play some board games with friends and family
- Check out Pinterest (You can follow me!)
- Listen to this Happy Playlist
- Mow the yard
- Do some more yoga!
- Relax at the beach
- Cope, baby, cope!
Your favorite ways?
I hope you have enjoyed this really long list of healthy coping outlets! What are your favorite ways of coping during stress, depression, or anxiety? Have any suggestions to add to the list? How is your journey of positive coping going? Tell me all about it in the comments below or email me at natalie@thatsnatalie.com. If you would like more advice about depression and anxiety, BetterHelp has all the answers!
Sharing is caring! Follow me on Pinterest for even more tips and advice!
Reproduced with permission, originally posted on thatsnatalie.com
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[…] will help to keep you well. The things to include are information about your mental health problem, coping strategies, and activities that you enjoy. Also, goals for the future, information on what may trigger […]