Your Strangest Coping Mechanism

LiteraryLark · Apr 05, 2019 at 11:48 PM

Mine? I like to eat chips to calm myself, specifically Ruffles Original chips, more specifically, I like to eat Ruffles Original chips in bed right before I fall asleep.

So comforting...Somehow.

What's yours? What is the strangest thing you do to cope/calm yourself?

LadyShadow · Apr 05, 2019 at 11:51 PM

It may not be strange - but the same song over and over again. Especially a weepy one to make me cry. Inducing tears is really helpful to me, although some may see that as strange.

Great thread!

Apr 06, 2019 at 04:58 AM

i have 2.

the first one is a little weird, I imagine myself a doctor/ nurse in a hospital waiting room looking at all the people sitting their with far worse problems than I have

then I imagine taking one through to the ward and imagine how I can help them feel better

if I can help them, I can help me too.

the other one is I like breaking my stuff

it means I have to eventually replace it (which is extra money, and that's never good), but the sadness it causes me also gives me a sense of calm

maybe it's to check I can still feel something

Apr 06, 2019 at 04:59 AM

actually, something else I do, is pretend I'm looking after a baby

pretend to read her a story or take her for a walk in the park

Mountaindewed · Apr 06, 2019 at 05:27 AM

Thinking of this girl who has it way worse then I do.

Is that a bad coping mechanism? Isn’t it like trying to boost my ego or something, and isn’t that not right? Sometimes I don’t feel like it’s a healthy thing to do. She just reminds me how I acted when I was 14 and she kind of freaks me out, and she gives me bad memories of my past.

KD1980 · Apr 06, 2019 at 06:30 AM

Well, I talked about one of mine on PC, and I was told it's not so strange. But one I've had for more than 20 years is parasocial relationships. I develop a crush on a celebrity and imagine becoming friends with them or dating them.

I also look at Instagram or Pinterest while listening to a relaxing song. I like looking at fine jewelry photos, skincare routine posts or handmade soap posts.

WishfulThinker66 · Apr 06, 2019 at 08:19 AM

I have a small oddly shaped oyster shell stuck to a stone which fits my hand and fingers well. I sometimes rub at the stone. I also have an essential oils blend I rub on my wrists and temples; lavender, peppermint, and grapefruit.

healingme4me · Apr 06, 2019 at 08:52 AM

I like to rub cool fabrics. Whether the corner of my shirt or something similar

Taylor27 · Apr 06, 2019 at 10:53 AM

Cup of expresso keeps me calm when im very anxious

Ford Puma · Apr 06, 2019 at 11:29 AM

My collection of teddy bears. I'm not kidding!

saidso · Apr 06, 2019 at 12:53 PM

Imaginary dog... hopefully one day soon it will be a real one.

Mopey · Apr 06, 2019 at 01:50 PM

You may or may not know that little nonsense song that goes:
"100 bottles of beer on the wall, 100 bottles of beer...." etc. If I start to feel stressed or start having painful thoughts I like to start repeating that to myself, counting down until I reach 0, then starting back up again.

TishaBuv · Apr 06, 2019 at 02:03 PM

Here’s an embarrassing one... searching negative words I think about myself as images and looking at them

Apr 07, 2019 at 11:16 AM

pretending I am on a forum of all women members and coming up with my own usernames and thread ideas

Apr 07, 2019 at 01:01 PM

Repeat a mantra:

When I am stressed I say "stay on target" to myself over and over.

When I want to wallow / comfort myself I sing a little tune from Mr. Magoo's christmas carol.
*a hand for each hand was made for the other why don't my fingers reach..*

LiteraryLark · Apr 07, 2019 at 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I imagine myself a doctor/ nurse in a hospital waiting room looking at all the people sitting their with far worse problems than I have

This. I LOVE THIS. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I wish more people thought like you.

LiteraryLark · Apr 07, 2019 at 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD1980

I develop a crush on a celebrity and imagine becoming friends with them or dating them.

Dis ma baby, Joel. Everyone who knows me knows about da mau5y. I've been mentally dating him for over five years. *squeal* <333

LiteraryLark · Apr 07, 2019 at 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healingme4me

I like to rub cool fabrics. Whether the corner of my shirt or something similar

Believe it or not, I have a "texture allergy". I think it's related to smoking pot. Sometimes I'll touch something that would be considered pleasant and all of a sudden it'll be like nails on a chalkboard to the touch.

LiteraryLark · Apr 07, 2019 at 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopey

You may or may not know that little nonsense song that goes:
"100 bottles of beer on the wall, 100 bottles of beer...." etc. If I start to feel stressed or start having painful thoughts I like to start repeating that to myself, counting down until I reach 0, then starting back up again.

hahaha, that's awesome.

Velvet Lounger · Apr 08, 2019 at 05:51 AM

My daughter keeps a cardboard shoe box that she can put items in, ones that bring happy memories; ones that make her smile, and bring comfort. It's her happy box which she goes to when feeling down. She also says everyone needs a little space to make room for good things to enter it, so if you make room in your life, then good things will enter. I like her way of thinking.

What I find is there is nothing more satisfying than putting what you wanted most on paper. Writing gives substance to something that was before as thin as air; a fleeting thought, a feeling. Therefore, writing one's feelings into a journal makes it one step closer to being real, and that goes a long way into helping me cope.

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LiteraryLark Crowned "The Good Witch" Member Since Jun 2009 Location: Wonderland Posts: 11,535 (SuperPoster!) 14 1,318 hugs given	Apr 05, 2019 at 11:48 PM #1 Mine? I like to eat chips to calm myself, specifically Ruffles Original chips, more specifically, I like to eat Ruffles Original chips in bed right before I fall asleep. So comforting...Somehow. What's yours? What is the strangest thing you do to cope/calm yourself?
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LadyShadow Wanderer of Distant Stars Member Since May 2012 Location: North Carolina, USA. Originally New York Posts: 24,701 (SuperPoster!) 11 8,637 hugs given	Apr 05, 2019 at 11:51 PM #2 It may not be strange - but the same song over and over again. Especially a weepy one to make me cry. Inducing tears is really helpful to me, although some may see that as strange. Great thread! __________________ Tales of Love, Motivation, and An Interesting Journey - Please Subscribe to my Website on WordPress: Inspired Odyssey's Path to Wellness and Love
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Apr 06, 2019 at 04:59 AM #4 actually, something else I do, is pretend I'm looking after a baby pretend to read her a story or take her for a walk in the park
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WishfulThinker66 Magnate Member Since Jun 2018 Location: Canada Posts: 2,285 5 117 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 08:19 AM #7 I have a small oddly shaped oyster shell stuck to a stone which fits my hand and fingers well. I sometimes rub at the stone. I also have an essential oils blend I rub on my wrists and temples; lavender, peppermint, and grapefruit.
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healingme4me Perpetually Pondering Community Liaison Member Since Apr 2013 Location: New England Posts: 46,298 (SuperPoster!) 11 4,168 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 08:52 AM #8 I like to rub cool fabrics. Whether the corner of my shirt or something similar
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Taylor27 healing from trauma Member Since Dec 2017 Location: Alberta Posts: 30,425 (SuperPoster!) 6 24.3k hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 10:53 AM #9 Cup of expresso keeps me calm when im very anxious
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Ford Puma Grand Magnate Member Since May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 4,390 9 796 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 11:29 AM #10 My collection of teddy bears. I'm not kidding! __________________ A daily dose of positive in a world going cuckoo Humour helps...
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saidso Veteran Member Member Since Oct 2018 Location: Europe & UK Posts: 575 5 165 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 12:53 PM #11 Imaginary dog... hopefully one day soon it will be a real one. __________________ "Fierce <-> Reality" oh god I am struggling today, help me to remember how to stay connected and human! remember: the nut shell against human predators and my own fear!
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Mopey Magnate Member Since Oct 2018 Location: California Posts: 2,025 5 1,520 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 01:50 PM #12 You may or may not know that little nonsense song that goes: "100 bottles of beer on the wall, 100 bottles of beer...." etc. If I start to feel stressed or start having painful thoughts I like to start repeating that to myself, counting down until I reach 0, then starting back up again.
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TishaBuv Legendary Member Since Dec 2014 Location: USA Posts: 10,192 (SuperPoster!) 9 1,872 hugs given	Apr 06, 2019 at 02:03 PM #13 Here’s an embarrassing one... searching negative words I think about myself as images and looking at them __________________ "And don't say it hasn't been a little slice of heaven, 'cause it hasn't!" . About Me--T
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Apr 07, 2019 at 11:16 AM #14 pretending I am on a forum of all women members and coming up with my own usernames and thread ideas
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Anonymous45521 Guest Posts: n/a	Apr 07, 2019 at 01:01 PM #15 Repeat a mantra: When I am stressed I say "stay on target" to myself over and over. When I want to wallow / comfort myself I sing a little tune from Mr. Magoo's christmas carol. a hand for each hand was made for the other why don't my fingers reach..
	Reply With Quote