Don’t Try to Get Rid of Coping Mechanisms

We all have coping mechanisms to deal with stress or difficult feelings — whether it’s drinking, overeating, or scrolling through social media. Once we realize that coping only soothes the symptoms and doesn’t fix the root problem, it can feel tempting to try and get rid of coping altogether. But the truth is, coping mechanisms are part of being human — and they always have been. In this episode, we explore the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping, and share a simple exercise that can help shift unhelpful patterns and bring us back to a more embodied, connected way of living.