Frustrations. We all have them. Some take the form of people (sometimes roommates or classmates) and their behavior, classes/homework, professors, co-workers, annoying habits, and on. I can definitely admit that I have my fair share especially recently.
It didn't occur to me until right now that I needed to distract myself from that emotion. I remembered a coping tactic my mentor told me about when my anxiety and OCD flares up: distraction. The reason for using distraction goes hand-in-hand with the anxiety and OCD; I needed to distract myself from feeling frustrated in order to prevent my brain from overthinking and obsessing over it.
Now, I'm not saying to always use distraction to avoid acknowledging your frustrations and triggers because it's sometimes necessary and healthy to let out your frustrations in healthy a and safe ways. I'm recommend distracting yourself when you have other priorities you need to focus on or if you are like me and overthink/obsess about them.
1. Listen to music
Open Spotify or Pandora and grab your headphones to jam out to whatever music makes you feel better. Me? It's probably "angry" songs or empowering songs like "Who Run The World, Girls".
2. Physical exercise
Before laughing me off, I want to say that it works. And physical could mean anything from working out, to yoga, to taking a walk, to anything that gets your mind to focus on something else.
3. Taking a nap
There are two benefits: you'll have successfully distracted yourself and got some sleep in the process.
4. Meditate/practice mindfulness
This does work. There are a bunch of phone apps out there to help you with it. Personally, I have the "Calm" app, and love it.
5. Netflix
Or watch a movie or tv show or anything that makes you laugh or smile.
6. Call someone to just talk
Just pick up the phone and call someone to ask about their day and how it's going. Immerse yourself into someone else's life for a little while.
7. Do something fun
And by fun, I mean like a hobby of yours. For me, it's reading and eating.
