Share Your Coping Strategies

What do you do when you're feeling upset?

Whenever I get upset my first reaction is to go off and be alone. Usually, I am alone already so I press my lips together, clinch my jaw and continue doing whatever I am doing.

This really is not helpful. So, I try to distract myself by listening to an audio book next, courtesy of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Other methods of distraction I use are playing computer games, changing tasks, or even trying to exercise. I usually do floor exercises, Tai Chi or Yoga.

I used to have a list of what Christian Women Do When They Are Feeling Stressed. Every other item on that long list was 'Say a prayer'. I have misplaced the list, but the point is that prayer always helps. It is something that can be done anywhere and under any circumstances. God is always listening and you do not have to use a phone.

What keeps you going?

I wonder this myself at times. I get depressed easily and there is always some pain somewhere in my body.

I am trying to find a purpose in my life right now. I am focusing on supporting my husband and cleaning the house and of course, laundry.

Our grandchildren are not living near us. Five of them just moved to Vermont in June; I am in Missouri. The other grandson lives with his biological mother and even when he is with my daughter and her husband there are scheduling problems. I would like to be able to say that they keep me going, but I cannot be the grandma to them that I would like to be.

I rely on my faith in God and my church family to socialize. That is hard too because of scheduling. I do not call them, but I know I can.