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The Plan from When Coping isn't Coping Anymore

This blog entry is in response to my last, "When Coping isn't Coping Anymore," posted on December 19, 2012...

Recently, I've been under a lot of stress, so I tried my usual coping skills that usually worked for me in the past with dissatisfaction and no relief. Accordingly, I went to speak to my therapist to learn new ways to help me cope with my stress and anxiety. Fortunately I came after most of the traffic died down in the mental health center, and was able to speak with her.

We came up with a stress management plan. The plan is to set a time frame or parameters around the time I spend on the lap top doing business. I will prioritize my work load and take more time out for myself to relax. I plan to try this new way of limiting the time I spend to my business for a week or two.

After talking to my therapist about the many things on my mind, I felt some relief and satisfaction with the stress management plan we devised. I feel safe knowing that these feelings are more stress-related than the byproduct of my mental illness, though stress can lead me to experience some symptoms of schizophrenia. Experiencing what I have with schizophrenia in the past- I do not want to go through that again, and I do my best to take care of myself to help reduce the likelihood of relapse.

To learn more about schizophrenia visit Embracing My Mind, Choices in Recovery, NAMI, or Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi,

My stress coping is playing the guitar and Tennis.
And it is important for me to sleep more longer.

Best regards,
Deen
December 20, 2012 at 5:47 AM
Momofthree said…
I'm proud of you for being in tune with your body, humble to ask questions, brave to ask them quickly and strong to put new information into practice immediately. Good job! God bless, Cindy
December 21, 2012 at 1:12 AM
withallmyheart said…
I admire how you dealt with your increasing awareness of feeling stressed.

I love how you talked about it so clearly with your therapist and how aware you were of how things were getting to be too much.

Kudos!

Lately I am trying to tune in better to what I am feeling and thinking, and giving myself permission to set limits.

Thank you for being You!!

Leslie,
from Baltimore City
December 21, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Ashley Smith said…
Deen-

Thank you for sharing your coping skills, they sound like a lot of fun.

Cindy-

I am proud of me too, I've come a long way. Thank you for the encouragement.

Leslie-

Writing is one of my best coping skills because I have an opportunity to express the real me whether it is on this blog or my personal journal, then reflect on it later to gain clarity and focus. In fact, I encourage others to keep a journal too, it may be very beneficial to enabling yourself to verbalize internal thoughts and feelings.


Sincerely,
Ashley Smith
December 21, 2012 at 8:26 AM
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