Coping

How do you cope? Do you have a special skill that you learned or discovered? Just what is coping? It occured to me that how we cope with the stess of living with mental illness may be of benefit to others. Here are some ideas I have had about this method of dealing with stress.

1. Physical Exercise -- I try to exert myself at least 3-4 times a week. When I walk I take music along for the ride to distract my thoughts.
2. Withdrawl -- This was one I learned from my upbringing; do not deal with it withdraw and let it simmer down.
3. Pillow Yelling -- Never worked for me but for some it really is a release.
4. Talk it Out -- Try to sit with someone and talk through what your stressed about, I am not good at doing this I need to cool off before I can talk.
5. Chores -- This one though not my favorite is a great distraction for me, do yard work, laundry. shopping for groceries some type of home related work.
6. Run Away -- Not a skill as I see it.

How do you cope? Give us some ideas.....