to ask for your go to self help tricks

[Whusky]

Bonus points if they're related to cptsd.
I'm on a waiting list for therapy and counselling, and Christmas is rough for me.
Anyone have tried and tested techniques for feeling 'ok'?

Every time I catastrophise or start dwelling on things, I imagine what kind, supportive stuff I would say to a friend feeling that way & write it down. It stops the spiral down. Don't know why. Seeing the reality in black & white? You lose perspective & confidence when you're down IME. Little things can seem huge & scary.

Got you, I've heard of that before but not tried it. Thank you ill try it

I do something practical - ideally go for a walk, set a task for buying something from the supermarket, cook, at my worst just have a shower and thoroughly moisturise afterwards or make a cup of tea and drink it sipping slowly. There’s something about doing something physical and engaging action that helps divert me. If you can exercise/yoga/run even better.

I also think about what advice to give to others but have never thought to write it down so thank you CSI

Move. When I feel low I find I sit ... and sit... and sit. Going out really helps, or hoovering, it showering, whatever, just get up and move.

When I worked I was frequently overwhelmed by my failure to tick things off the 'To Do' list. So I started a 'Done' list, of all the other things I had managed that day. (When off work with stress this second list included things like: got up, put washing machine on, had shower. ) It helped me understand why things weren't getting done (because other stuff had taken priority) and helped me identify small victories.