When it feels like your life is falling apart....

[Deparfea]

how do YOU handle it? If you're already in therapy, what else do you do to try to cope with things? I'm finding myself in a very difficult situation and am really struggling with what to do next. Therapy is great, but is a long process. What have you done to help you get through? I'm thinking that drinking wine isn't the best idea....

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I read.

I go to the library and come home with a bagful of books. I might get self-help kind of books if I think they'll help me with whatever problem I am having, but mostly I tend to get books that will distract me from my concerns for a while. Humour, romantic comedy, "cosy"-type mysteries, that kind of thing. (I save the more "serious" literature for good times.)

Nothing works better for me. A little time with a good book and I'm ready to face the world again.

Teresa

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

I try to destress. I don't know that I would call it meditating but I try to calm myself by taking deep breathes over and over until I can find myself calming down. They I try to think of what I'm going to do about it.

 

[rodeo65]

I walk. A lot. With music.

I also Dis.

 

[cabanafrau]

Depending on the situation it may be a good idea to look around for volunteer opportunities. Helping others can help put your own circumstances in perspective, make you feel like you're changing things for the better, take some of your focus off of what's bothering you and may put you in contact with a new group of people, possibly gaining some new friendships.

 

[dislaney]

Depending on the situation it may be a good idea to look around for volunteer opportunities. Helping others can help put your own circumstances in perspective, make you feel like you're changing things for the better, take some of your focus off of what's bothering you and may put you in contact with a new group of people, possibly gaining some new friendships.

This!

I find when I have been going through my most difficult times that helping others has really helped me get past my own problems.

 

[FergieTCat]

I ended up volunteering for Toys for Tots (all it took was an e-mail asking if they need help -- they do!) I think it will be best for me to be around people doing something constructive.

Sitting on my couch eating didn't work so well.

 

[NMAmy]

I clean. Being able to straighten and control at least part of my life makes everything else seem better.

Last weekend, I was upset after a crappy week and so I washed and ironed all the curtains and washed all the windows, reorganized and cleaned the bottom of my closet, and figured out my dad's recipe for homemade noodles. At least something productive comes out of my irritation.

 

[DMass]

Xanax!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Take one minute, one hour, one day at a time.

Recognize that when one door closes, another opens.

Find things in every day that make you happy.

Surround yourself with supportive people and let the toxic ones go.

The Serenity Prayer

"God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference."

 

[cabanafrau]

I clean. Being able to straighten and control at least part of my life makes everything else seem better.

Last weekend, I was upset after a crappy week and so I washed and ironed all the curtains and washed all the windows, reorganized and cleaned the bottom of my closet, and figured out my dad's recipe for homemade noodles. At least something productive comes out of my irritation.

Definitely, organized, clean or redecorated surroundings can be a huge pick-me-up!

 

[Minnesota!]

Honestly, if funds are there - I take a vacation. A break from what is troubling me has always done me good. Even a local vacation - going to a nice hotel, seeing some local stuff.

But really...when things have gotten almost unbearable in the past...a trip *usually to WDW...full disclosure* has almost always been my coping technique. It gives me joy, something to focus on other than always focusing on the "issues" in my life, and gives me something to look forward to.

When my marriage was iffy...we hit WDW to reconnect. When I was dx as clinically depressed...the therapist and psychologist both "prescribed me" a vacation.

When the funds are not there - I clean clean clean clean clean. And reorganize, pitch as much stuff as possible. Make my house as destashed, clean, and uncluttered as I want my life.

Cluttered house = cluttered life = cluttered brain IMO.

 

[Robinrs]

God. He can do what I cannot.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Shopretail thereapy is faster BUT maybe not cheaper

 

[Golf4food]

God. Prayer. Scripture. Family. Go somewhere peaceful outside.

 

[Evil Genius]

Take one minute, one hour, one day at a time.

Recognize that when one door closes, another opens.

Find things in every day that make you happy.

Surround yourself with supportive people and let the toxic ones go.

I agree with this whole heartedly. Break your day up into time blocks. Get through 15 minutes of your day and then another and another. Increase the time when you are ready. Realize that you are a much stronger person than you think you are.

 

[NikitaZee]

My mom. She always makes me feel better. I spend as much time as I can around my family, best friends - the people who will listen to my tale of woe over and over, or sit with me if I need to cry, or say nothing at all. Good luck

 

[HOGFAN]

drink and Xanax..together...but I dont reccommend it...

 

[sparklynails23]

Family and friends, prayer, exercise-- it releases endorphins and makes you feel better; strenuous exercise is best

 

[palavra]

God. He can do what I cannot.

It has taken me a long time to realize this, but I agree that just talking to God, sharing the burden helps me get through.I also write prayers too. Sometimes, getting everything on paper can actually help me to keep things in perspective, even if it seems there is no way out.

I hope you find something that will work for you!