What helps?

When you are experiencing strong emotions, what have you found that helps?


I've started a new habit- I play disc golf at least once a day.


I also monitor my emotions and thoughts, and when I find I'm starting to ruminate, or am dealing with intrusive thoughts, I deliberately turn my mind elsewhere.

Yes, I'd say I do the same thing, @shakespeare47. I try to find distractions and some hobbies to keep my mind occupied when I feel overwhelmed as well. That helps a little bit although only temporarely. I'm so sorry you're struggling with ALL of this as well!

It also helps change things over which I do have some control. For instance- I cleaned up my house, did some spring/summer cleaning, had a garage sale- then I created a new office/den for myself. I have it set up just the way I like it.


I also sometimes feel self-conscious about the way I talk- so I looked into speech therapy and then started taking some acting lessons with an acting coach one on one. I'm memorizing lines and challenging myself with tongue twisters.

How quickly can you say this?


It's called About Socks by Dr. Seuss.

Not very quickly, I'd say! Thank you for your useful advice! I wish I could give back some advice to you as well! If it helps, you can always PM me! I'll gladly listen to you! My inbox is ALWAYS open for EVERYBODY! Please keep fighting and NEVER give up HOPE! Sending many safe, warm hugs to you, @shakespeare47!

Medication, relaxing, music or getting things done.

Walking. Taking a hot bath. Reading.

well if i'd have looked in this thread there was some good things for handling my emotions. I've calmed down a quite a bit

shakespeare, if you could share, are there more ways, and how, do you monitor your thoughts? I have intrusive thoughts and I feel like its hard to get rid of them. thank you

I do intentionally turn my mind elsewhere when necessary.

But it also helps me to acknowledge those intrusive thoughts- to write them down. Those thoughts are coming from part of my personality- with that in mind I ask, "What is it that you need from me?"



If it happens at night- like if I wake up, or if I can't sleep.... I get up and write about them for a while. The fact that I wrote them down helps me remember I know what they are- and I can deal with them later.


It sometimes helps to schedule some "worry time"- I set aside an hour or so to intentionally worry about whatever it upsetting me.

music, journalling, and humor

I don't do the third as much anymore, but when I used to do it a lot, it was talking to a friend. it felt like their was someone next to me just listening without judgement

If I’m really very overwhelmed, then I will go work in the garden. I don’t even wear shoes or gloves because the point is to absorb strength from the beautiful and powerful earth.

I like you

gloves are a trigger for me massively

and I do agree about the whole sstrength from nature thing, even if I don't go out much

when I do I like to focus on the weather, especially if it's windy

having that blow through my hair feels so free

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakespeare47 I do intentionally turn my mind elsewhere when necessary. But it also helps me to acknowledge those intrusive thoughts- to write them down. Those thoughts are coming from part of my personality- with that in mind I ask, "What is it that you need from me?" If it happens at night- like if I wake up, or if I can't sleep.... I get up and write about them for a while. The fact that I wrote them down helps me remember I know what they are- and I can deal with them later. It sometimes helps to schedule some "worry time"- I set aside an hour or so to intentionally worry about whatever it upsetting me.

Thank you for that, I should try to relax after a bit of time set aside to worry, I think that's great advice. I think I should journal more but I'm always afraid someone will see it, so I tend to rip it up or garbage it after.

I also agree the intrusive thoughts come from my personality and upbringing, I have no idea how to stop them, except try to ask what they want from me to see, and try to let them go again.

Taking a really cold bath or putting ice down my shirt.

Keep in mind that you may not get the same results- your experiences may vary. These things work for me. You may need to look around and find those practices that work best for you.

I was hoping this would be seen as my asking other people what helps them (and my sharing what helps me) vs being seen as my giving advice. I know people here come from a wide variety of backgrounds... what I find to be useful- may not be useful for others.

me too! my garden is a mental sanctuary

I know it hasn't been long, but my thinking things through, not necessarily writing it all down, is helping. I'm trying to look at the big picture. What is positive in my life and build on that. I find it hard to be around moody people, as I'm very sensitive. I was helping my friend with his parents and it became overwhelming.

I sometimes get so anxious strange thoughts happen, and I tell myself that the reality is different from my panicky emotions. It helps to just remember we are here now, and nothing can change except the future. It doesn't always work to get rid of the feelings. I need clarity, clear communicating.....

One thing I read somewhere was to hold cold ice in your hands. It works at times, it distracts from emotional pain.

sometimes i ask myself 'what's really going on?' because i tend to deny how i feel, and after noticing how i really feel, trying to be kind to myself. telling myself i'm allowed to take a break and/or distract myself.

other things i do: listing of things that make me happy (and reading them again), looking at memes, watching netflix/youtube, pray (mostly to let out some of my thoughts), drink some tea (if i have the motivation to make it), reading my journal that is now mostly filled with self-reminder