I still deal with anxiety, stress, anger, sadness, pain, guilt, and other emotions as a result of what I have been through, but thankfully, I have found some coping mechanisms that work for me. I do not struggle with these nearly as often as I used to.

When I am struggling, I seek God, my mom, my friends, and activities that soothe me. Some of my activities that soothe me are reading the Bible, drawing, singing, listening to music, dancing, journaling, and writing.

I write down my feelings and thoughts. I even convey my thoughts and knowledge into the story I am writing. It is cathartic. You don't have to journal in a physical book, it can be on your phone or computer.

I find it is best to get all my negative emotions and thoughts out, or else I tend to dwell on it, fixating for minutes to hours to days, letting it eat at me. Once I write them down or tell someone, I feel better.

Sometimes our minds spiral and finding healthy coping mechanisms helps to relieve the burdens.

I find when I can get my mind off the negative things bothering me, I feel more at peace.

What helps you cope?

What encourages you to keep pushing through life?

What helps you calm down?

Do you listen/play music?

Dance? Read?

Do you find joy in art? If so, what kind? Art encompasses a wide spectrum of activities and forms. Some of which include drawing, writing, picture taking, music, and dancing.

When I deal with anxiety, anger, sadness, pain, guilt, grief, sorrow, nervousness, stress, worry, or

anxiety/panic attacks, I use some coping tactics to help such as:

· Praying

· Counting

· Deep breathing

· Rocking

· Pacing

· Cleaning

· Shaking my hands out

· Seeking someone like a family member or friends you trust

· Drawing

· Writing

· Listening or playing music

· Making lists

· Taking pictures

· Looking at photography

· Reading

· Talking to someone

· Hugging trusted people

· Crying it out

· Deflecting

· Fidgeting

· Tapping fingers

· Faster talking

· Playing in water

· Stuffed animals

· Putting on comforting clothing

· Putting on makeup

· Showering

· Covering self with a soft blanket

· Distracting myself

· Exercise

· Surfing YouTube, Instagram

· Watching tv shows, movies, preaching

· Watching something soothing like Bob Ross or animals

· Listening to affirmations

· Meditating

· Putting on headphones or earplugs

· Humor

If none of these work for you, it is okay. You can research positive outlooks and coping mechanisms to deal with your burdens. There is no cookie-cutter way to recovery, but you will heal in time and in your own way. Just because something works for one person doesn't mean it'll work for you. I suggest trying out a variety of coping mechanisms.

Please do not keep the pain bottled up. Find someone who relates to you or you can vent to! Think of your body as a beautiful, shiny, jeweled bottle. I've learned keeping things in, especially negative feelings, builds up, filling that bottle. Eventually those strong emotions will fill to the point of where it must be poured out or it will crack. Keeping things bottled up only puts pressure on you.

COPING

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