What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

Life is quite the journey. The last 15 years I spent working with young children helping them develop strategies to deal with negative feelings…. never did I stop to think about what I did when I felt those negative feelings until it was too late.

It hit me like a brick wall. I didn’t know how to deal with the emotions I was feeling. Heck, I could barely identify what I was feeling in the beginning.

Fast forward 2 years and I have several strategies I found help me!

Journaling ✏️ – I write how I think I am feeling. I look up the definition of those words and ask myself if that is it or if I need to keep looking. Eventually it comes full circle and I am much more aware of how I am feeling and how I can handle those feelings.

Exercise 💪🏼 – running, biking, yoga, swim, walk…. getting my body moving helps to free my mind

Nature ☀️ walks, grounding- feet touching the earth, laying on a blanket, sitting in a chair

Check the facts ✅ ask myself is this true? Where did my info come from? Is this important to me?

Meditation 🧘‍♀️

Ice bath 🧊

Paint 🎨

Focus on my breath 👄

Little by little I feel myself feeling better. I practice my skills when I need them and talk to my therapist to confirm I got this! Like I said life is a journey. Negative feelings have a way of creeping up and trying to suck you in. Don’t let it! Be strong. Be you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 🩷

Live on.