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We live in stressful times.
Stress kills.
I want me fellow autistic people to live as long and healthily as possibly, so here is a thread of what helps ME to cope with stress (and sometimes even relax, wow!).
And I invite all of you to reply with what YOU do to cope!
Stress kills.
I want me fellow autistic people to live as long and healthily as possibly, so here is a thread of what helps ME to cope with stress (and sometimes even relax, wow!).
And I invite all of you to reply with what YOU do to cope!
AVOIDANCE
„Professionals“ say avoiding things only leads to becoming more sensitized, leads to becoming more distressed.
They don’t understand my autistic brain.
I have other limits and don‘t desensitize like non-autistics.
Avoidance is a key stress management tool for me.
„Professionals“ say avoiding things only leads to becoming more sensitized, leads to becoming more distressed.
They don’t understand my autistic brain.
I have other limits and don‘t desensitize like non-autistics.
Avoidance is a key stress management tool for me.
STIMMING
I know autistics are constantly taught to suppress their stimming in our society...but it is a key stress management tool for us!
My distress stims like pacing, rocking, flapping, humming, wiggling my feet all help me to manage my stress level and help me cope.
I know autistics are constantly taught to suppress their stimming in our society...but it is a key stress management tool for us!
My distress stims like pacing, rocking, flapping, humming, wiggling my feet all help me to manage my stress level and help me cope.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Stimming can be physical activity, but other forms of physical activity also help me cope with stress.
I have a treadmill which I hop onto pretty much daily. Going for brisk walks helps. I jump up and down. And doing cleaning chores is a go to tool for me!
Stimming can be physical activity, but other forms of physical activity also help me cope with stress.
I have a treadmill which I hop onto pretty much daily. Going for brisk walks helps. I jump up and down. And doing cleaning chores is a go to tool for me!
DISTRACTION
My brain never stops. Things like mindfulness and meditation don’t work for me.
I don‘t need MORE awareness of my surroundings or my body, because I constantly have too much of it.
I need distraction!
My go to is a familiar movie or TV show.
Crafting also works.
My brain never stops. Things like mindfulness and meditation don’t work for me.
I don‘t need MORE awareness of my surroundings or my body, because I constantly have too much of it.
I need distraction!
My go to is a familiar movie or TV show.
Crafting also works.
LET IT OUT
Because my brain keeps thinking about stressful things over and over and I cannot control that from the inside, letting it out helps me.
I usually tell my husband what distresses me.
Turning thoughts into words and moving them from inside my body to outside helps.
Because my brain keeps thinking about stressful things over and over and I cannot control that from the inside, letting it out helps me.
I usually tell my husband what distresses me.
Turning thoughts into words and moving them from inside my body to outside helps.
CHECK ON MY FOOD AND DRINK STATUS
Hyperfocus, hyperfixation, memory issues, etc. all mean that I often forget to eat and drink.
So when I feel especially crappy I try to remember to check if I have had enough food and drink.
A body running on empty can‘t cope with stress!
Hyperfocus, hyperfixation, memory issues, etc. all mean that I often forget to eat and drink.
So when I feel especially crappy I try to remember to check if I have had enough food and drink.
A body running on empty can‘t cope with stress!
TAKING A BREAK
I often overestimate how much I can do.
I often notice that I need a break when it‘s already too late.
So one key stress management tool for me is to regularly stop, say out loud „I need a break!“, and take a break.
It helps when others prompt me as well.
I often overestimate how much I can do.
I often notice that I need a break when it‘s already too late.
So one key stress management tool for me is to regularly stop, say out loud „I need a break!“, and take a break.
It helps when others prompt me as well.
CW: SELF-HARM
When I‘m distressed, self-harm helps me stop getting more distressed. It can prevent escalation into meltdown and worse self-harm later.
Bite my hand now, or bang my head later.
Pinch my skin now, or hit myself later.
Self-harm is (sadly) often necessary for me.
When I‘m distressed, self-harm helps me stop getting more distressed. It can prevent escalation into meltdown and worse self-harm later.
Bite my hand now, or bang my head later.
Pinch my skin now, or hit myself later.
Self-harm is (sadly) often necessary for me.
CW: EATING
I don‘t have much joy in my life anymore, but my favorite foods still make me happy.
Texture, taste...the entire sensory experience effectively distracts my brain from the distress and lets it focus on something good for a bit.
Happy foods are a key tool for me.
I don‘t have much joy in my life anymore, but my favorite foods still make me happy.
Texture, taste...the entire sensory experience effectively distracts my brain from the distress and lets it focus on something good for a bit.
Happy foods are a key tool for me.
ACKNOWLEDGING DISTRESS
I was taught not to show weakness or be a bother, to pull myself together, etc.
This means NOT acknowledging distress and pretending I‘m fine.
This is bullshit.
Acknowledging that I am distressed to myself AND others is necessary to manage my distress.
I was taught not to show weakness or be a bother, to pull myself together, etc.
This means NOT acknowledging distress and pretending I‘m fine.
This is bullshit.
Acknowledging that I am distressed to myself AND others is necessary to manage my distress.
