Ways to Cope
When the going gets tough, it may seem like there is no way out. Below are some suggestions to get distract yourself from potentially dangerous behaviors such as cutting, bingeing, or purging.
- Journal
- Call a friend or a therapist
- Take a bubble bath
- Cuddle up in bed with a good book
- Listen to some soothin music
- Pray
- Do something for yourself (such a paining your nails, putting on a facial mask, etc)
- Play with an animal
- Paint or color a picture of what life will be like when you are *recovered*
- Take a short walk
- Read the Bible or some sort of affirmation/devotional book
- Plant a garden. You will have to take care and worry about something else rather than yourself.
- Do some laundry or clean the house.
- Rearrange the furniture
- Fight the voices-whatever they tell you, say the opposite. (Ex. "I am fat,"say, "No, I am just fine")
- Remind yourself that feelings are not everlasting, so this too shall pass.
- SCREAM!!
- If you feel like cutting, hold an ice cube in your hand.
- Take a drive
- Watch a movie
Positive Affirmations
- I am smart. I am beautiful. I will get stronger. ( a personal fav. of mine told to me by a recovered bulimic)
- Never give up for that is just the time and place the tide will turn.
- This too, shall pass.
- Today is going to be a wonderful day!
- One step at a time. One bite at a time.
- I deserve love, life, and happiness.
- I can be comfortable in my own skin.
- The question I ask myself is not if I should heal but how I should heal.
- I will be gentle with myself. I am not alone in my problem, my powerlessness, or my search for solution.
- My life is a gift, and I will not let my enjoyment of it be diminished by feeling guilty over my body size or how much I eat.
- I love and care for my body and it cares for me.
- I am now filled with faith, certainty, and confidence. I now feel these emotions in my body.
- Everything is going to be alright.
- Tomorrow is a new day.
- Other people find me to be a fascinating and interesting person.
- I am lovable just the way I am.
- Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
- My future is something to look forward to.
- "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." -Philipians 4:13
- I think I can...I think I can...I think I can. I can.
- I have choices. I can choose new responses to old situations. I can learn to recognize my true needs and choose positive ways of satisfying them. I can choose recovery today.
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