Stop Using These Things to Cope
We all get sad from time to time. It is human nature and completely unavoidable. You seen Inside Out didn't you? Sadness might be an annoying little thing but she is necessary to move on to better emotions. That still doesn't mean dealing with it is easy. Sometimes we even deal with it the wrong way. Sometimes we form habits or cling to things that won't necessarily give us happiness but instead give us a distraction from sadness.
Here are a list of unhealthy coping mechanisms you need to stop right now:
1. Burying your sorrows in ice cream
They don't call it comfort food for no reason. Food, especially sugary and fatty foods, can seem like a definite way to ease some pains of life. It is even scientifically proven that sugary treats can release a large amount of a chemical named dopamine into your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls the brain's reward and pleasure system. So technically speaking you can get a high off your favorite cookies and cream ice cream. This might seem fun but this can actually lead to an addictive dopamine cycle which is unhealthy for the brain and of course your body. However in moderate amounts dopamine can actually be motivating. You can indulge in other foods that have moderate amounts of dopamine like certain proteins such as chicken, beef, and fish, natural produce such as apples, bananas, and berries, and dairy products such as cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt. Just don't get carried away. Make sure you can lift your head up from your plate and put some use to the dopamine.
2. Seeking happiness from other people
When you are down it is common to want to reach out to other people for support and just sometimes to vent. That is understandable but you got to understand that there is a line you should't cross. That line is dependence. Whether it is a lover, friend, or even family, you can't depend on these people to provide pleasure and happiness to you. Everybody has their own emotions they deal with from their own realities and no one is perfect. So you never know when someone who you thought would always make you happy suddenly changes or does something you don't approve of. Now, this does not mean become cold and distant towards everyone in your life. Go ahead and put your good karma into the universe. Whatever karma others choose to give is their problem not yours.
3. Substance Abuse
This one might be an obvious no no but sometimes it isn't so obvious to someone that they are abusing something. You might think indulging in a little bit won't hurt. Then all of sudden you're in an AA group telling everyone how you were so blackout drunk the next day you woke up with a tattoo of "YOLO" on your lower back. No but seriously, anything such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, even marijuana is not what you need to get over the stresses of life. In reality, all you are doing is postponing being sober enough to deal with whats hurting you. On top of that, you are adding more problems to your life by excessively putting harmful chemicals in your body.
4. Becoming a sloth
Sure, a day off with total relaxation is justifiable is hard times. However, not a week, not a month and certainly not longer than that. Yes, being in a funk can sometimes make motivation harder and harder to find. Nevertheless, you can not sit around for the rest of your life throwing a pity party as Netflix being the main event. Eventually, you have to get off of that couch. Again, all this is doing is postponing dealing with your problems. And becoming a couch potato is not cute. All you are doing is wasting time. Time that could be spent, working towards your goals, learning what unproblematic things can make you happy, and loving yourself.
So if you are dealing with negative emotions do not fall victim to these bad habits. Instead do things that make you happy and can also be productive. Also, take care of yourself and acknowledge your emotions by talking about it or writing it down. It might seem counterprodutive for feeling better but trust me letting your feelings out truly is beneficial.
Here are a list of unhealthy coping mechanisms you need to stop right now:
1. Burying your sorrows in ice cream
They don't call it comfort food for no reason. Food, especially sugary and fatty foods, can seem like a definite way to ease some pains of life. It is even scientifically proven that sugary treats can release a large amount of a chemical named dopamine into your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls the brain's reward and pleasure system. So technically speaking you can get a high off your favorite cookies and cream ice cream. This might seem fun but this can actually lead to an addictive dopamine cycle which is unhealthy for the brain and of course your body. However in moderate amounts dopamine can actually be motivating. You can indulge in other foods that have moderate amounts of dopamine like certain proteins such as chicken, beef, and fish, natural produce such as apples, bananas, and berries, and dairy products such as cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt. Just don't get carried away. Make sure you can lift your head up from your plate and put some use to the dopamine.
2. Seeking happiness from other people
When you are down it is common to want to reach out to other people for support and just sometimes to vent. That is understandable but you got to understand that there is a line you should't cross. That line is dependence. Whether it is a lover, friend, or even family, you can't depend on these people to provide pleasure and happiness to you. Everybody has their own emotions they deal with from their own realities and no one is perfect. So you never know when someone who you thought would always make you happy suddenly changes or does something you don't approve of. Now, this does not mean become cold and distant towards everyone in your life. Go ahead and put your good karma into the universe. Whatever karma others choose to give is their problem not yours.
3. Substance Abuse
This one might be an obvious no no but sometimes it isn't so obvious to someone that they are abusing something. You might think indulging in a little bit won't hurt. Then all of sudden you're in an AA group telling everyone how you were so blackout drunk the next day you woke up with a tattoo of "YOLO" on your lower back. No but seriously, anything such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, even marijuana is not what you need to get over the stresses of life. In reality, all you are doing is postponing being sober enough to deal with whats hurting you. On top of that, you are adding more problems to your life by excessively putting harmful chemicals in your body.
4. Becoming a sloth
Sure, a day off with total relaxation is justifiable is hard times. However, not a week, not a month and certainly not longer than that. Yes, being in a funk can sometimes make motivation harder and harder to find. Nevertheless, you can not sit around for the rest of your life throwing a pity party as Netflix being the main event. Eventually, you have to get off of that couch. Again, all this is doing is postponing dealing with your problems. And becoming a couch potato is not cute. All you are doing is wasting time. Time that could be spent, working towards your goals, learning what unproblematic things can make you happy, and loving yourself.
So if you are dealing with negative emotions do not fall victim to these bad habits. Instead do things that make you happy and can also be productive. Also, take care of yourself and acknowledge your emotions by talking about it or writing it down. It might seem counterprodutive for feeling better but trust me letting your feelings out truly is beneficial.
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