Coping up is a word that is thrown around very often and used loosely in our society, the pandemic made it even worse. We hear people around us talk about how they’ve been coping up with their life problems, mid-life crisis, first-world problems and obviously- the pandemic.
But are all these coping mechanisms healthy? Where some choose to sweat it out in the gym, some choose to plug in their air pods and transport themselves. In both these scenarios one is hoping to divert themselves from their current reason of worry.
But are these ways healthy? Or numbing?
Are we, as a generation, doing coping mechanisms right?
I know from experience that there are days (most days?) where lying in bed feels like the perfect choice, but the question is- on most days, is it the best way to deal with it?
I think I have asked you too many questions but my intention here is to ask you the right questions we all are seeking the right answers to. Starting with, what is a coping mechanism?
Before we deep dive into the various coping mechanisms that one habituates towards, it's essential to go browse through what ideally fits into the healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. If you were accustomed to any one of the unhealthy mechanisms, then you’re at the right place. Hopefully we’ll see a change one you’re done with this blog.
There are awkward benefits of confronting your emotions. But when does it start being less awkward? When you decide to choose the awkward way, first time is a charm.
Here are 5 coping mechanisms you should try
…. instead of indulging into that one sip of wine and a Netflix binge night. Might sound awful for the first time but trust me, it is the healthy way, and you will be grateful for adapting it early on.
- Confide in someone
When you share your problems with a supportive person, you take a burden off your shoulders. Seeking external support instead of self-isolating and internalizing the effects of stress can greatly reduce the negative effects of a difficult situation. - Give yourself a break
There are many ways to unlock the soothing power of calm. Research shows that when people have time to relax, they often turn to activities such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or other calming techniques and even sitting in nature. - Solution oriented approach
When you're stressed, it's a good idea to find a way to deal with it. You might try brainstorming or brainstorming some solutions. - Fight back with humour
A little levity can help relieve stress, which can otherwise become overwhelming. It can help people to maintain perspective and prevent the situation from being overwhelming when they make light of a stressful situation. - Put yourself out there, literally
Exercise can be a literal and metaphorical form of stress relief. Running, yoga, swimming, walking, dance—the list goes on—can help people cope with stress and the aftereffects of traumatic events.
Looking at these coping methods and styles, you may be thinking, “But how do I put them into practice?” You’re in luck, there are many ways to put these methods into practice.
Try more self-care? But not the retail therapy kind!
Selfcare has also been proven to be a great way to cope up with overwhelming situations (Markway 2014). Besides these positive coping mechanisms, practicing self-care is a valuable method of coping with stress. Self-care includes many different methods and activities, but you must find your own checklist to make sure you’re on a path of recovery and growth.
- Sensory Self Care
Sensory self-care is a great way to relax and recharge. Getting a breath of fresh air, snuggling under a cozy blanket, listening to running water, sitting outdoors by a fire pit or taking a hot shower or a warm bath are all ways to help your mind and body relax. Try staring up at the sky or lying down where the afternoon sun streams in through a window. You might even find yourself daydreaming about a nice spot outdoors. - Pleasure
Take yourself out to eat. Go to a museum or gallery or make a trip to the park. Take a day trip somewhere that provides you with physical pleasure, such as a beach or lake. Try something new: go hiking or camping in nature. Don’t forget that gardening is also a great way to reduce stress and have fun at the same time. Get creative! - Mental
Self-care means eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep each night. It also means having healthy relationships with friends and family members, taking time to get away from technology and social media every now and then, and learning how to take care of our bodies by practicing mindfulness meditation or some other form of self-care practice. - Spiritual
Start by taking care of your body, mind, and spirit so they can work together to help you thrive in this world. That means eating right, exercising regularly, and sleeping well every night. It also means doing things like meditating and spending time in nature to reset your brain and body for the next day (or week). It’s also been shown that churchgoing has a positive effect on their social interactions with others around them as well as their physical health. - Emotional
Your emotional checklist is a healthy way to express your emotions. It's also a way to get in touch with your feelings — and that can help you calm down, focus on the task at hand, and even sleep better. Even writing down our emotions also helps us let go of some of those emotions by allowing us to see them as separate from ourselves instead of feeling like they define who we are as people. - Social
The first step to being happy is to make a list of things you like to do and then do them. Meet your friends or call them up just to unwind. Maybe even join a support group to verbalize your thoughts. The more of these things you can fit into your life, the happier you'll be. The less you have to worry about what's next on your to-do list, the less stressed out you'll feel.
Hope this blog helped you and if you think someone needs to hear this, please send it along and spread awareness and positivity. Happy Coping 😀