Ways to Cope with the Stress of Life
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It’s that time of year. Summer is ending, and it’s back to reality. Sometimes it can feel that as the days become shorter, the list of activities and responsibilities that fill that time become longer – school, work, sports, extracurriculars and meetings.
When I first meet with a patient, I ask them what they do to take care of themselves on a daily basis and what they do to cope when they are feeling sad or anxious. Unfortunately, the answer I often hear is “nothing.”
With the chaos of the world we live in, it can be hard to believe we have the time or energy for taking care of ourselves. But taking that time is exactly what fuels us to get through difficult moments and emotions.
Here are some ideas to help you implement some new coping strategies and self-care into your everyday:
Express Yourself – Often people find having a space to release their feelings is very helpful. Try writing in a journal, painting a picture, making a collage, singing or creating music. Write a letter to yourself about how you are feeling, and then write a reply to yourself as if you were someone else offering you advice and support.
Pamper Yourself – Grooming has been shown to be a natural stress reliever… what a great reason to get a massage, have you hair cut or simply take a relaxing bath. Sitting in pajamas all day may be comfortable, but getting in the shower and getting dressed can motivate us to make other changes.
Focus on the Future – Recognize that how you feel today will not be how you always feel. Imagine where you would like to be and make small goals that you can accomplish to help you get there.
Just Do It – We often procrastinate when we feel bad. Your mood may be helped by simply doing something, even a five-minute task. This will increase feelings of accomplishment and confidence. It may sound counterintuitive, but the feeling of motivation comes after we begin a task, not before it.
Get Out – Discover your world. Take a walk. Take a class. Go shopping. Pray at a place that feels safe – church, temple, synagogue, or mosque. Go for a walk around the block. Go to the gym.
Reach Out – Look to supportive friends and family. Phone call, Facetime, email, or face-to-face…doesn’t matter as long as you don’t feel alone. If you don’t feel you have a good support network, look for support groups to help you through. Or explore ways to meet new friends, such as through clubs or Meetup.com.
Therapy - If you are finding that these techniques are helping, but still not making the change in your mood you want to see, therapy may also be helpful. Therapy is also a great way to find support and help you create lasting coping strategies to improve mood and quality of life.
If you’re interested in starting therapy, call me at 215-764-7926 for a free 15-minute consult.