question regarding this post, if that's okay? /post/695312108530909185/i-think-it-would-help-people-to-understand-that do you have any ideas how / links to resources on like, being able to replace dissociation as a coping mechanism? (i know these things take practice and time and will not entirely remove the ability, which is fine. i just would like to be able to not default to it so frequently and near-constantly at the slightest bad feel before i even noticed the bad feel, y'know?)
2nd part of the ask here:
note re dissociation question: i am asking because all the shit that i find when searching stuff is focussed on how to end a dissociative episode / grounding techniques that i can literally do *while* dissociated so they fully do not help, and they're not about finding other coping mechanisms neither.
different things are going to work for different people. the reason grounding exercises are such a common suggestion for this is because a lot of people need to step out of the dissociative state before they can do anything else. it's also usually a pretty good starting point, as it's super hard to prevent dissociation once your brain has decided that it's a good coping mechanism
something that has helped me is to get into the habit of doing so-called "grounding exercises" even when I'm not dissociated or stressed. this also helps me to consciously identify emotions early and often, which is a good tool when we're talking about preventing maladaptive coping mechanisms
things that are helping me:
2 + 5 + 7 = brain health (every single day, your goal should be to do two difficult things, to meditate five times for five minutes, and to notice seven new things) ... for me, this means doing Welsh for 15 minutes a day, it means trying to memorise all the countries, and it means setting a timer to meditate every day
meditation in general ... it's a bit difficult to meditate if you've never done it before, so guided meditations might be your go-to. I've actually found it more helpful to go outside and sit under a tree for five minutes, and just... take stock of what I'm feeling and thinking, and not letting myself control my thoughts
exercise... moving your body around is really important. exercise does not have to mean going on an ultra-marathon or playing a sport. it can literally mean standing up and doing a lap of your bedroom. it can be dance, yoga, jumping up and down a couple times, whatever works for you
generally learning about other coping mechanisms and trying them out when you've got nothing to "cope with"... things like journalling, breathing exercises, going for a walk etc etc are things you need to get into the habit of. you need to be teaching your brain that there are healthy ways to cope with complex emotions, and it will only learn through practice
that's kind of all I can think of at the moment. working through dissociation is about re-learning how to notice yourself and notice the world around you. it definitely does not happen overnight, and you might not be able to prevent dissociation completely. but it is something you can reduce!
I wish you all the best, and I hope your brain isn't too unmanageable at the moment
