The ultimate list of coping outlets for those fighting depression and anxiety

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)

1. Go sit outside and enjoy nature
2. Check out these 10 depression quotes that could change your life!
3. Give yourself a facial (check out these DIY masks)
4. Take a hot, herbal bath with my handcrafted Bath Spell sachets, only on Etsy! Try out the Anxiety & Depression herbal sachet!!!
5. Try these yoga poses
6. You HAVE to try out this grounding exercise!Read the Harry Potter books (or any book)
7. Pedicure time!
8. Get artistic with adult coloring books
9. Drink hot, herbal tea
10. Ride a bike
11. Try out these breathing exercises!
12. Cook a healthy meal, like this: Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
13. Go swimming!
14. Try meditation
15. Paint your fingernails
16. Try watercolor painting
17. Relax in a hot tub or steam room
18. Walk around the block
19. Lie out in the sun or go tanning in a booth (this will give you a boost of Vitamin D Happiness)
20. Have a glass of wine
21. Eat healthy snacks like these
22. Go walk the dog
23. Read a magazine
24. Listen to stand-up comedy on Pandora
25. Dance to your favorite music
26. Start a workout plan
27. Hike a trail
28. Go fishing
29. Learn how to be a photographer
30. ing your heart out!
31. Write some poetry
32. Try a DIY hair mask
33. Take a jog through the park
34. Catch up on housework: laundry, dusting, mopping
35. Take a small nap
36. Plant some flowers or bushes
37. START A BLOG!
38. Buy some new shoes or lingerie
39. Put on some makeup (want that sexy cat eye?)
40. Call a friend or your mom
41. Stretch out your muscles
42. Learn how to meal prep
43. Use mindfulness
44. Go get a massage
45. See a therapist
46. Work on those abs!
47. Re-decorate your house
48. Paint your bedroom (2017 Paint Color Trends)
49. Organize everything!
50. Clean out your closet
51. Have a yard sale
52. Drive around town
53. Go to Starbuck’s
54. Try out something new like Hurt’s Donuts
55. Watch a movie or tv show
56. Go to a museum
57. Make some pottery
58. Plant a tree
59. Start recycling
60. Learn how to sew or crochet
61. Adopt a pet from a shelter
62. Use essential oils
63. Learn a new language (I’m trying to learn French)
64. Take a hot bath with epsom salts
65. Play Candy Crush or solitaire
66. Do crossword puzzles or word searches
67. Start journaling
68. Track your moods
69. Take a college course
70. Lift weights
71. Get a spray tan
72. Buy some new makeup
73. Take selfies and bask in all the compliments
74. Travel somewhere new (I’m planning for Portland, Oregon)
75. Play some sports
76. Join a gym
77. Write and mail letters to your friends
78. Unplug from social media
79. Bake some cupcakes
80. Go rollerskating
81. Enjoy a movie at the theater (my local drive-in theater is opening this weekend!)
82. Send your loved one flowers or a card
83. Play hackeysack
84. Put lotion on from head to toe
85. Make a gratitude list
86. Compliment yourself!
87. Try surfing or sailing
88. Buy a comfy robe and slippers
89. Use a heating/massage pad
90. Change your look! Get your hair cut and colored!
91. Drink lemon water!
92. Eat these healthy foods to fight anxiety!
93. Do a marathon
94. Give to charity
95. Volunteer
96. Speak up for mental illness and help fight stigma!
97. Give someone a compliment
98. Braid your hair
99. Try drawing
100. Get crafty!
101. Make your bed (put some lavender essential oil on your sheets and pillows)
102. Rub a worry stone or Lepidolite
103. See a play or Opera
104. Try ballet or tap dancing (I was in ballet for almost ten years! Very therapeutic!)
105. Write a book
106. Create a recipe
107. Make soy candles with essential oils
108. Write a letter to your idol
109. Go to a concert
110. Hit up the batting cages
111. Play miniature golf
112. Go to a football or baseball game (Go St. Louis Cardinals!)
113. Ride some roller coasters
114. Have fun canoeing or water rafting
115. Plant a vegetable or herb garden
116. Play some board games with friends and family
117. Check out Pinterest (You can follow me!)
118. Listen to this Happy Playlist
119. Mow the yard
120. Do some more yoga!
121. Relax at the beach
122. 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!

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Reproduced with permission, originally posted on thatsnatalie.com

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