Using Healthy Coping Mechanisms to Deal with Challenges

There’s no doubt about it – as this latest wave of Covid hits, the stress of the unknown has launched us into a period of collective uncertainty. It’s halfway through 2021 now, and the initial murmurings of covid etched into 2019 seem a very long time ago. It’s been a weird year, and just as us Aussies thought life was returning to normal, we have been hit by another outbreak and put back into lockdown. To top it off, we now have much more limited access to things that would normally form our coping mechanisms – gyms, brunches with the ladies or the extended coffee catch up. Because of that, we can be all the more likely to reach for coping mechanisms that are, well, less than healthy – a few too many wines at dinner, night-after-night spent glued to Netflix, unable to sleep…. sound familiar?

The last few days I have been trying extra hard not to let myself slip into that negative mindset. I’ve definitely been feeling a littleblah and bummed out by all my work that has been cancelled, and the fact that it seems as though our lives had just gotten back some semblance of normality, but I’m trying to keep in mind all that I have to be grateful for  – and I know there is PLENTY! Only this morning I was walking my dog, Lenny, outside in the park and feeling so grateful that we can exercise out in nature (and I’m sure Lenny is grateful too). However, that does not detract from the fact that this can be a stressful time for us all.

On that topic, don’t forget that stress is a natural human response – it’s meant to trigger the fight or flight response which is responsible for keeping us humans alert against danger and, historically, alive. Though in our modern day lives, these stresses are not just physical. They are emotional and psychological too. And it seems to me that in these turbulent times, our stresses are exacerbated. After a while, stress takes a toll on our bodies and immune systems which is why it is so important to use healthy coping mechanisms to cope with challenges as they arise.

Over the next few weeks I’m going to be putting extra effort into healthy and comforting practices to manage this time of uncertainty. I invite you to jump onboard and join me. Let’s invest our time in practices that are uplifting. Practices that, when you’re finished, leave you feeling positive and energised. Practices that are more unhealthy will leave you feeling depleted – for me, this is eating too many processed foods or binging on social media. You’ll know the difference! By contrast, here are a bunch of healthy coping mechanisms I will be focusing on:

Focus on what you’re eating
Try to ensure that you are fuelling your body with nourishing and wholesome plant-based foods. It makes such a difference to your physical and mental health. Take the time to prepare delicious food at home. Try some new recipes. Use new ingredients. Make your food fun. If you’re after some ideas, check out my favourite winter warmer recipes.

Make a playlist of your favourite music
I may be biased, by music is life! Music is naturally relaxing and is a sure way to lift your vibration. I find it really helps to have several playlists on hand that are curated to my various moods. Make a playlist of your favourite songs, chuck it on and have a boogie. If you’re in need of some inspiration, check out my playlists on Spotify.

Use this time to take a break from caffeine or alcohol
I recently conducted a little self-experiment and gave up coffee. As heartbreaking as it was, I felt noticeably better after taking some time apart, and I would highly recommend that you give it a go!

Get out in nature and move your body
One majorly important thing we can still do whilst in isolation is getting outside! For me, getting outside and moving my body is probably my #1 coping mechanism. It has an almost immediate effect on my mental health, and energises me like nothing else! 

Prioritise your sleep
Getting enough sleep and ensuring it is of a high quality is vital for managing your stress levels. When you are lacking sleep, your body creates more stress hormones to keep you alert, which simultaneously supresses your immune system. This leaves you far less likely to cope well! So make sleep a priority. Curate a routine that works for you and stick to it. Sleep is your superpower during times like these.

Use your support team
Reach out to your friends and family. Every. Single. Day. It is so important to remember that you are not alone, and to maintain some form of social interaction, even if it is from afar. Plus, there are a bunch of ways you can still have fun together. Why not schedule a skype cook-in? Or perhaps sign up to an online book club together?

Curate your mental chatter
What you’re seeing makes such a difference. Use this time to curate an environment that prompts positive mental chatter. Fill your social media feed with positive, inspiring pages, or maybe take this time as a break from it all.

Develop a daily journaling or gratitude practice
Did you know that gratitude is the highest vibrational emotion? A daily gratitude practice can actually increase the frequency you vibrate at, helping you to call in other high vibing things to your life. If you need a hand developing a daily mindfulness practice, take a look at this article.
When developing your heathy coping mechanisms, don’t forget to choose things that resonate with YOU! Everyone is different, so it’s up to you to create a path that is fulfilling and energising for what you love.

Dara x