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Coping Skills

Then again, dealing with mental health can be akin to a sore throat.

For many, those interacting with family, co-workers, acquaintances who have mental health issues, well, they have a hard time swallowing, so to speak. It starts as a cough. The really? phase. Then getting a bit raw from the experience. The WTF? phase Reaches the hard-to-swallow phase. The Not buying it! phase.

It's tough eating with a sore throat. One must endure.
 
Distraction + Time.

I have had extended periods of depression, where a distraction gets me thinking about something else and the passage of time brings whatever it brings. The best distractions for me have been things that I do for someone else, as the motivation to do them is stronger. The passage of time, perhaps years, may bring a change of perspective, someone else’s wisdom, etc. It just seems to take time for these things to reveal themselves and for me to be receptive to the input.

It seems to me that the distractions are never the cure, they just get me through the day. Time (so far) has brought the real relief.
A distraction helps to get a better night of sleep. Lack of sleep will always be the enemy of your body and mind.
 
Road trips are a good way to change the pace. Even just an overnight moto to stay in a cheap motel always leaves me pepped up when I get back. Then again I'm the ignore your feelings and push 'em all deep deep down type. Super healthy, probably.
 
Eventually, those things wont matter anymore, like some things in life are no longer important. Like playing with dolls...
"It’s so important for adults,” she says. “There’s a lot we can learn about ourselves and the world through play, and it can ultimately enhance everyday life, especially when we’re facing difficult times or living in a world where stress can be difficult to escape.”

 
Sometimes, the best way to break yourself out of a long established pattern is to move, whether nearby or a good distance away. A job change also helps. Combining both can be a pretty good reset.
 
Daily I smoke weed.
In the larger context I help people however I can.
I need to exercise more.

But fuck does this time of despair make me despair.
 
I was in a bit of a snit yesterday. I went for a vigorous walk. The daylight on my face helped.

This week has been super stressful with the roofing project which has meant guests and extra food to cook and sound and expenses and multiple trips to town. Thank you @tag3 for the help. Send beer. :laughing
 
For me having a pet really help me out when I was really going through it. I went on a lot of solo hikes with him and he brought me out of my funk.

When he passed, I kept the tradition of my morning walks (increased the mileage/pace) and listen to podcasts. Exercising in the evenings after work (crossfit/cycling) helps get the juices flowing for me.

Lately Cycling has really helped out, especially when I'm feeling sad after I put in some miles and some self-reflection I usually feel a lot better. But with this time change I'm really gonna miss not being able to cycle after work, I'll be zwifting but it's not the same.
 
Fortunately, they make tools for this...

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For me having a pet really help me out when I was really going through it. I went on a lot of solo hikes with him and he brought me out of my funk.

When he passed, I kept the tradition of my morning walks (increased the mileage/pace) and listen to podcasts. Exercising in the evenings after work (crossfit/cycling) helps get the juices flowing for me.

Lately Cycling has really helped out, especially when I'm feeling sad after I put in some miles and some self-reflection I usually feel a lot better. But with this time change I'm really gonna miss not being able to cycle after work, I'll be zwifting but it's not the same.
Two words. Bike. Lights. I’m gonna hit up Robert again to know what to buy. This year I’m gonna ride after dark!! :laughing
 
It's critical to have the "depression" clinically diagnosed.

Seasonality - reducing daylight as winter approaches here is a well known factor to exacerbate depression.

CBT helps. Especially when used in combination with regular exercise, strict/set routine and appropriate medical intervention (if the depression is clinically diagnosed). The main part where CBT helps is it will help you identify triggers for the depression(and consequently avoid those). It also helps in stopping rumination. As with any advanced technique in life, CBT needs practice to get better at it.
 
Two words. Bike. Lights. I’m gonna hit up Robert again to know what to buy. This year I’m gonna ride after dark!! :laughing
Knog Cobbers. I have them and they are absolutely ridiculous and amazing. @ucmgrad

BOOP
 
Today's struggle was rough. Preparing for therapy just meant over analyzing things before I got a chance to talk about them.

Coping with disappointment is easy. I'm not surprised and just feel that they are hurting themselves in the end. It's an easy switch and it doesn't take my much to forget.

Coping with my own struggle is harder because I don't understand it. If it we a bleeding wound, that's easy. Coping with something I don't have a reason for? The question was if it was a me thing or it was other people, but I'm the commonality so it has to be me.

It has to be.

I don't know how to cope with that.
 
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