Tips for Managing Illnesses without Medication

I hear you. I really struggle to find a coping skill that works and every feeling feels so acute that every time it feels unmanageable. And its like there is....emotional object impermanence. Like in an emotional state, i forget any other state has ever existed. One thing that helps me is trying really hard to remind myself that it will in fact pass. In the moment it rarely brings any comfort or make the hard feeling lighter, but it doesn't keep my soldiering thru the hard feeling even when it seems impossible. Sometimes subtle stims like repeating a song or staring at leafs in trees genuinely does help. I have a long list of coping skills that never seem to work. But hear me out. Set a timer for like 30 minutes and cycle through as many on the list as you can. Sometimes 1 by itself won't help but like 4 in a row help. Example. - clean something (do some easy dishes) - listen to a favorite song and dance - feel the grass on my feet - send a friend a text saying I appreciate them - tap my toes And thats a really nice 30 minutes. I'm not going to lie it doesn't feel good until like minute 29 sometimes tho. My advice is to keep doing things on your list until something does help. I'll share my list:

i find healthy coping mechanism are talked of a lot, but its rather hard to see what works and doesnt work for you. here are some coping mechanisms to try! take it day by day, or repeat something daily to see if it works. -journaling (it can be daily if you want to set intentions for ur day OR to review your day. it can also be whenever just to vent! thats what i do) -fidget toys (there are many types, and some are more discreet than others, so you can choose on how noticeable stimming may be.) -art (you can channel your emotions or frustrations into many mediums. painting, sewing, crochet, glass blowing, jewelry making.) -new habit (for me, i like to have something constant. so for several weeks at a time i’ll focus on one thing to repeat daily for my own happiness such as art, eating cereal at a specific time, watering plants, yoga) when overwhelmed by your conditions, never be afraid to reach out or help yourself. don’t sweep it under the rug, but don’t let it take you over either. use your tools to help mitigate the discomfort. also, please remember that coping and healing is NOT linear. most of these conditions are chronic, so it is less about “fixing” it, and more about mitigating and lightening the load. i hope this helps a little!