Suggestions for better coping mechanisms?

taymam

My doctor suggested for me to start with excersize and counselling. And then if that doesn't work drugs. HA easier said than done right? MUSIC is pretty much the only thing that can help snap me out of the pity party. I used to listen to metal, but as it turns out I have to be into a good mood to listen to metal (who'd have thunk it). So I have progressed into electronic upbeat dancing type music. And I dance ALL DAY LONG. Also, sometimes I think these feelings are there because your mind is telling you your not being the person you want to be. If you set long term goals and take baby steps toward achieving those goals not only do you find yourself distracted, but it gives you a direction to keep walking in. For instance, my goals right now: run a full 5k in 2016, I made a bet with my buddy about who will beat whom at the spartan race this year (loser has to eat dried maggots and other insecty snacks), I also in this journey discovered that I need to go back to school and get a degree and masters if I want to live the type of life I have planned for myself. So for now I'm signing up for upgrading so I can start school when my children are school aged. And because I suffer from depression and need that extra boost, I have motivation all around me in the form of quotes, charts, calendars, menu guides, reminders. I hope that helps. You can pm me if you have any questions or want to see photos of the guides and charts. You can do this. This program really works and it's 80 percent food. I was 220 pounds last January 1st, now I'm 158 and a size 8. Organization is the key.

quiksylver296

FitGirl0123

I've battled depression, drug addiction, and alcoholism in my life, as well as emotional eating. Exercise turned my life around. No lie. To this day, exercise is still the number one thing that keeps me going. This is why I tell people to find a type of exercise they enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, you won't stick to it. Don't just try something once and decide you don't like it. Try a whole bunch of things and try them numerous times. Chances are you will find what you enjoy doing. But also, find a way to deal with your emotions. Do something healthy. Talk to someone, write it down, whatever it takes. When you feel you want to eat emotionally, find something to busy yourself. It's not always easy to get up and do something when you are feeling down, but once you do it, you'll be glad you did.

pondee629

lilteepot wrote: »

So, long story short, about three years ago in the window of about 5 days, I lost everything -- a career I loved, the love of my life, my home and everything in it. It's certainly given me an opportunity to redirect and redefine my life... but ever since then I struggle with occasional bouts of "the blues" and self-pity parties. For about as far back as I can remember, my go-to coping mechanism for grief and depression has been food. My psyche attributes a full stomach (typically packed with unhealthy foods to boot) with comfort and love, followed of course, by a long bout of sleep which doesn't help matters ... How do I break this?

Yes, I've been told "take a walk!" and "do a quick few minutes of exercise!" The problem with that solution is that I fight exercise even on really GOOD days, so expecting me to push through the fog of tears and/or lethargy on bad days is fairly unrealistic at this juncture... I'm not looking for anything drastic -- just something that gives me a spark of hope on bad days that doesn't come anywhere near food (or even steers me away from it). So help a girl out... What do you do to make yourself feel better on rough days?

With what you have survived, the only advise I can give is to follow Bill Murray from "Meatballs":Repeat after me:

"It just doesn't matter, It just doesn't matter..."

Google the link, here at work it's blocked.

It just doesn't matter.

fiddletime

Since it seems like your losses were a few years ago you may have clinical depression and could benefit a lot from professional help. Once you're able to get out of the black pit you'll be able to follow through on some of the great advice in this thread.

68myra

yoovie wrote: »

I stand up, clench my right fist (which is a psychological trigger for determination) and say out loud- pathetic pity parties are NOT sexy. turn up the music and dance around the house in my underwear until im smiling for real.

oooooh, i really think i have to steal this idea!

68myra

like another person who posted..... I enjoy gardening. i call it playing in the dirt. i can nurture my plants, they don't talk back or attempt an eye-roll, lol.
honestly, i'm one of those exercisers...... except..... now i can't. i'm in physical therapy for hip pain and i've been banned from running and cycling and i "shouldn't" do yoga, but heck, i gotta do SOMETHING. the mindfulness training in yoga is helpful, as is gardening...... my only other idea is mint gum. i am not as tempted to dig into the kids' snacks if i'm chewing mint gum (sugar free!)