Counselor’s Desk: Coping from the client’s perspective

There comes a time in everyone’s life where issues will arise unexpectedly. Finding a healthy way to deal with such issues, no matter how big or small, is synonymous to being able to cope with these issues as they present themselves. Many people live long lives and never find healthy and productive ways to cope with things. Therefore, I will share three of the most healthy ways I cope with troublesome news or events that come my way.

Though it is my belief that the most ideal coping mechanism one can possess is to do something healthy enough that it could ease one’s mind so much so that it could put them to sleep. The idea of coping with certain issues or mindsets, runs parallel to the feeling of being at peace with said issues.

Though everyone deals with issues differently, I believe all would agree that it is important to avoid becoming trapped in one’s mind with negative thoughts. That being said, I find it to be crucial to stay busy and occupied with healthy activities when attempting to cope with something.

Developing healthy hobbies and productive, time-consuming activities will do so much to assure one can sleep at night with a clear conscience. For example, something I do to put my mind at ease is to hit the basketball court. Even when playing alone, it consumes hours of my time and I always know my mind will not drift toward negativity. Also, any sort of exercise is great for not only the body but the mind as well.

Another healthy activity that works wonders for me, personally, is writing. No matter what it is I am writing about, I can become so immersed in my work that I lose track of how many times the hour glass has been turned over. Again, whit this, I can be alone and still have a great way to get negative thoughts out of my head and have them turn into inspiration for my writing.

One last thing I reach for when I feel I’m having trouble dealing with things is the telephone. More specifically, I call my best friend who has known me all of my life. Now, this only works because she is an extremely healthy and productive peer to have in my corner. Once we get to talking, the hours pass like seconds and I have yet to hang up with her and find myself still feeling upset. But everyone else, maybe it is a family member or any positive influence that one could confine in.

To conclude, I will reiterate the fact that everyone copes with issues differently and my particular ways may not work for all. Though, I will state that it’s far more possible than most think.

If it is you that is trying to work through something, then it is imperative to stay busy while being productive and healthy so you don’t get caught in a negative mindset. Just remember to keep that chin up, keep busy and keep believing and you will find your mind at peace far more often than ever before.

Stephen J. Root is a client of Tombigbee Outreach in Demopolis. For more information about Tombigbee Outreach, call 334-287-2428.