Whether it’s going back to work after a long period of time off. Knowing the world or your country has gone to shit. Feeling like your life is stagnant. We all need to cope some to get it through and make it another day.
I personally eat, it’s not a good way to cope since it can lead to health issues but it sometimes helps.
I also sometimes re-watch or re-listen to things over and over. Of things that make me feel a little comfortable to watch and listen to again. YouTube videos I hadn’t watched in a while, songs I haven’t listened to forever or maybe go another few rounds of listening to an old podcast long out of syndication.
I don’t need to cope. I like my job. My country has always been shit. My life isn’t stagnant.
Drugs. Lots of drugs.
I distract myself with video games usually. Takes the mind off of the day to day things.
But if I don’t have the energy, sometimes curling up on the couch with a blanket and a drink and watching Youtube or movies or something is nice.
Cry
it’s my teammate
I try to create - drawing, making music, sewing, repairing appliances, learning how to do new things. Single-player games (video or board) are a nice way to unwind and distract your mind while still keeping it challenged. I am lucky enough to have a couple chill days who like to snuggle, and that snuggling helps way more than I ever thought.
What are some good single player board games?
This is a solid list with descriptions so you can figure out if the theme and game play is appealing to you: https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/single-player-board-games/
Wingspan is on the list, and while it’s pricy, it’s a lovely engine-building game that can get very involving. A couple of my friends were obsessed with this one for a few years.
I’d also add Sagrada, another pretty game where you work within set parameters to match dice colours & pips to “build” stained glass windows. It can be challenging and requires strategy and a little luck, but again, very involving and satisfying.
There’s also a single-person dungeon crawler from an indie developer that you can take anywhere: https://gladdendesign.com/products/paper-apps-dungeon
And if you don’t mind screen time, there are a surprising number of board games on Steam, with online play options so you can play with others.
Cope?
The state of socialism around the world hasn’t had a better year than this one and it’s only going to get better, unless AI will make communism possible and popular.
Bike riding, video games, wildlife photography, tech tinkering, cooking, baking, reading. Basically keep myself busy with stuff that is broadly non-self destructive.
Walk, lift and do stuff for your health. It’s better than eating, because once you are fit enough you can really eat what you want in quantities that you want. You learn along the way that it feels nice to be healthy too so unhealthy cravings go away.
Spend more time with family and close friends, even if its text or voice chat on discord. Having closer relations with people is beneficial for mental health. Relations where two people want help each other flourish and grow are the best. If you like games i would suggest speedrunning - joining and posting your runs, if you like boardgames - chess or go(baduk) clubs and tournaments, if you like crafts - some workshops - like pottery or woodworking. Finding people who you can interact with in “getting better” mindset eorks wonders, and makes person more motivated.
Learn stuff that you can make on your own - food/cooking, sewing, small maintenance stuff. Overall, “working with your hands”, is great. Not only you learn something useful, but also it gives space to be brainless for a while when peeling onions or whatnot where i feel at rest. If you are in position to get a pet from shelter and be it’s companion - do it. If you can’t - shelters usually accept volunteering. Pets teach compassion and provide comfort. Taking care of other being and learning its behaviour is fun on its own but also beneficial to reevaluate your own behaviours. Inevitably living with other living being changes a person, i think for the better. I definitely changed since i got my best friend from the shelter. Weed if you would be into it. In your case probably more of sativa to get energy and be talkative, more around the house, do small things to rythm of good music for few hours. You can lock in on task for long time.YMMV I am neurodivergent just ideas to evaluate. Wishing you all the best <3
I’m a traditional sort of guy: weed and alcohol.
CBD gummies for me, but yes, samsies. Cheers!
if i dont get halfway decent exercise i don’t sleep well, if i don’t sleep well i get depressed, stability for me starts with physical activity. that and blowing fat clouds of gas
Lift weights! Genuinely super fun to track the progress over time. Bonus effect: lazing around in bed the rest of the weekend is no longer wasting your life; you’re now resting and building muscle!
Alcohol and drug use aside, I have changed a few things about myself and my routine that have helped me tremendously. Maybe they can help you, or someone else:
- Cook for yourself. Find some simple recipes for wholesome meals (i.e. wholesome in the sense that it meets your nutritional requirements, and that you make it yourself most from scratch).
- I tend to focus on lean meats, high protein, and green veggies.
- Set aside one or two hours in your day for just yourself. Play video games, read a book, watch a movie, or take a walk. The idea is to scratch a personal itch you would otherwise deny yourself because of responsibilities or “lack of time”.
- Naps. If you can, try to take a nap each day. Try to stay with 20-30 minutes, but recognize like any habit/hobby, it takes time to get it right.
- I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll set a 30 minute timer and only actually nap for 20 minutes.
- Meditation. I usually do this when I nap or go to sleep for the night. I have a pair of Bluetooth headphones that are in a headband (for sleeping), and I’ll cue up an hour long ASMR or guided sleep video. The guided sleep ones are real good because they teach you box breathing, and help keep your mind focused on yourself so it doesn’t wander into the things that keep you awake.
- Develop a regular cleaning schedule. Not only will it keep your house clean and tidy, but it allows you to focus your energy into something productive and positive.
- I use my Notes app to create my to-do lists, and check things off as they get done.
- If I do something not on my list, I add it and immediately check it off; having a really long list checked off feels real good.
- I don’t care if I get my list done in a day or week. It’ll get done.
- Cook for yourself. Find some simple recipes for wholesome meals (i.e. wholesome in the sense that it meets your nutritional requirements, and that you make it yourself most from scratch).
I make art. For myself, for others, whatevers. Anything to keep my hands busy and away from doomscrolling.
Also, video games.
I take deliberate breaks from stuff like Lemmy and the news. I only came back here after a multi-month break this month. It works.
