Woman shares how to replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with nourishment of mind

Mental health has been gaining popularity as an acceptable and recognized matter of concern. Each person in the world is wrought with some form of mental distress but not all are aware of how to deal with them. Therapy is expensive and not everyone can afford it. Talking it out with someone is always an option but at the end of the “talk,” we’re sometimes still left wondering how exactly to deal with the situation or rather “cope” with it. Emily—who goes by @passionbased on TikTok—touches upon dealing with unhealthy coping mechanisms with the nurturing and nourishment of the mind.

Emily, a mindset coach, discusses “coping mechanisms” which, according to her, “are strategies that we use when we’re facing stress, anxiety, trauma” and that “it helps them manage their difficult emotions." She further elaborated that more often than not, people deal with their challenges with “quick fixes that don’t get to the root of the issue." She also highlighted that society teaches us “to have some wine” when we are stressed out or “smoke” if we’re feeling anxious or a step further “here’s a magic pill” for all your heavy emotions.

She explains that these “quick fixes” will only give “temporary illusions that you’re not going through the pain." With these substances, it seems that the problems “quickly go away” but soon they start “flooding back again." She further adds, “The truth is none of them get to the root cause of why we feel the painful emotions?” She then shared an insight into two questions that she “always asks her clients." Question one is “What especially is making you feel this way?” and question number two is “What in you actually wants to be nourished?” 

She elaborates, “We all need nourishment. Nourishment is necessary for growth, health and vitality. Your mind, body and spirit crave it.” She then explained that thinking about nourishment is often equated with thinking about food, but that’s not it. She lists the things that actually mean “nourishment” which includes, nature, social interaction, laughter, love, passion, sunlight, intimacy, adventure and more such crucial elements of what makes for a nourished mind, body and soul.

She concludes the video by saying, “Our mind, body and spirit crave feeling connected and so when you nourish yourself, you’re giving yourself that moment of peace and clarity, rather than going to the quick fixes that won’t do you any good in the long run.” She offers a last tip for the “the next time you’re feeling anxious” and suggests that instead of heading towards your usual way of coping mechanisms, ask yourself, “What really wants to be nourished?”

Emily’s advice covered some great points and was very relatable amongst TikTok users who took to the comments section to share their coping mechanisms. @_.sh4d00ww._ said, “I play with my pop socket on my phone but I don't always have my phone.” @kakaiba.to.maprend shared, “Cool. When I'm stressed I read books or watch a movie, it helps me.”

Viewers had different ways of coping with their mental health challenges and some even agreed that they do turn to “wine” when they’re feeling low. However, Emily’s stress on using substances to manage emotions is a highly problematic area but also a popular go-to option amongst people. It helps to know this perspective to explore alternate ways of coping with stress because mental health challenges are here to stay and no number of wine bottles can drown them really.