Coping mechanisms
The other day when my computer prompted me to upgrade its operating system, I was thinking to myself: Wouldn’t it be amazing if I got regular reminders to check in with my human system?
Don’t you wish that, too?
As I mentioned in the previous post and video, I use the metaphor of the "Human Operating System", or HOS, to refer to our nervous system.
I describe it in more detail in my book Awaken Your Inner Leader - Transform Stress, Develop Emotional Mastery and Thrive.
In my book, I dive deeper into the functioning of your HOS and how it influences your:
- Health (mental/physical/emotional),
- Relationships (to yourself and others), and
- Self-leadership (your greatest super power), which I firmly believe is the pre-requisite for leadership.
It never fails that when I talk to people, they will typically say: “Okay, I get it. But how do I know there is something “off' with my system?"
My hunch is that you may be asking the same question.
In the previous post/video, I touched on the main physiological signs that may suggest that something could be stuck in your HOS:
- Sleep issues, digestion/weight issues,
- Lack of focus due to brain fog or fidgetiness/restlessness,
- Reduced capacity of the immune system, illness, hard to explain symptoms, etc.
Today’s post is about another tell-tale sign: You may be relying on coping mechanisms.
You may say, of course, "We all have copying strategies". However, when we habitually resort to a certain behaviour that may not necessarily produce desired long term outcomes...it may be worthwhile exploring this.
We can divide these into:
A. Coping substances:
- Food - it comes in all varieties: sweets, snacks, bigger portion of meals, etc.
- Alcohol
- Other substances (drugs, prescription meds).
Interesting fact: Whenever we ingest something through our mouth, there seems to be a corresponding soothing effect. And again, more on this in the book.
When it comes to weight issues, we often focus on diets and exercise. And these are important. However, I believe, the issue may be much deeper- inside our HOS.
B. Coping behaviour:
- Excessive tuning out through technology - social media, gaming, etc.
- Excessive exercise or work,
- Compulsive shopping,
- Excessive partying,
- Having frequent partners...
...all as a way to soothe.
I am sure you know at least one person in your life who may rely on some of these coping mechanisms in order to release tension or stress in a short term ...but to suffer negative consequences in the long term.
Stay tuned for my next post diving further into the tell-tale signs that something
may be off in your HOS.
I will talk about how we show up in conflicting situations.
Talk soon!
With love,
Edita