Hello valued Hoot readers! This week, we are telling you guys how to cope. So read up and start coping.
James: I don’t know. I have no idea how to cope. If you need to cope, good luck and don’t ask me for advice. Also, if you know how to cope, please tell me.
Jenna: Well I can’t say I have any healthy coping mechanisms to suggest, however, here are my go-tos. 1) Watch a romance movie, but a sad one. Allow their issues to take the spotlight from your issues and cry it out. You don’t just have to imagine that maybe someone out there has it worse, you can watch them have a terrible time. 2) eating lots of good food: ice cream, popcorn (microwaved), tortilla chips and salsa, really anything that suits your fancy. Just eat something that makes you feel good at every bite. When in doubt cheese is a classic choice. 3) Blast some music of angry angsty legends. I would recommend some songs and artists but I don’t want to open myself up to musical critique so instead I will just say this—if you think someone would mosh to it, you’re on the right track. Sometimes you just need a way to let it out that’s more socially acceptable than literally screaming. Speaking of, those of you screaming outside of the Ziv/Ridge area at night, read this Hoot Recommends and get a better coping mechanism.
Cooper: The gym is the best way to cope. If you disagree, you probably lift less than I do. Ok ok, in all seriousness: I genuinely feel that lifting weights is one of the best ways to deal with the horrors of the world. It’s been proven to have tons of physical health and mental health benefits, and there’s just something fun about picking up a heavy ass dumbbell, putting it back down and then repeating until you can’t anymore.
Calli: Though I am extremely busy, I take pride in the coping mechanisms that I do invest in (despite how little time I may put into them). My favorite one would be journaling. A journal is small, inexpensive and wildly important. You feel good? Write about it. You feel sad? Write about it. You feel stressed? Write about it. A journal is the perfect way to digest life and be introspective. You can grow so much from simply just writing. Next, I love to move my body. Movement balances my brain chemistry and makes me feel good all around. I have never regretted exercising. This could be yoga, a walk, stretching or my favorite, a run! Lastly, I love to read. Self care is so important and picking up a book can be the perfect escape. Though, reading during the school year is always tricky with making the time for it. But! Even just five minutes can be enough to start getting yourself to feel better sometimes. I hope that these could spark some interest in our beloved readers. Look out for yourself and your friends, people. Make the most of life when you can, it is so important. This too shall pass.
Michael: Oh boy, I have done a lot of coping this past week. Last issue, I recommended watching the Impractical Jokers on a rainy day. Well, just my luck, this week serious allegations have come out against two of them. And this show was my primary coping mechanism! So instead of that, I have been doing things such as listening to Japanese City Pop albums (I recommend “Aqua City” by S. Kiyotaka and Omega Tribe and “Touch and Go” by Toshiki Kadomatsu), rewatching the Indiana Jones movies or working out.
Jason: CTRL (Deluxe), Jodie 0:44
Lucas: Maybe this isn’t the healthiest thing to suggest, but a little bit of candy never hurt anyone! When I’m feeling down, I’ll head to the C-store to pick up a snack. I particularly like those sour gummy worms they sell.
Rachel: In college, it is natural for times to get stressful. I have had my experiences where I get nervous about an upcoming assignment or about my professional future. When that happens, I need some ways to cope and be a bit distracted. One of those ways is a phone call with my parents. I’m not just saying this because they are probably reading this article (Hey guys!). And of course, we have our arguments from time to time. However, when I talk about the stupidest shit with my parents, I can distract myself from my work and laugh a bit with some people I love. We can talk about a wide variety of topics, from celebrity relationship drama, to new plays opening on Broadway, to the scores of tennis matches, to the TV shows my mom is watching (she recommends “Doc” and is also making her way through the third season of “The White Lotus”), to sometimes me just reading the New York Times obituary section, pointing out the unique and interesting people that died (there are so many unique people who we do not know until their soul has left this planet). It can be a struggle for my parents to get me off the phone, because the talks are just so fun, even if it has already been two hours of mindless conversation. This fun distraction with my parents is a great way for me to recharge and not think about real issues for a little bit, just about the fun issues. Of course, I understand that this advice will not work for everyone, as many people do not have great relationships with their parents. However, I think the advice can still apply to anyone that you love. If you have the time, call someone that is close to you and just gossip or discuss some goofy topics. It can totally distract you and allow your mind to wander to topics that don’t really matter. When that happens, the stress of your world can slip away for a while, and you can just laugh with someone that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Most people do not have my awesome parents, but most people can find someone that they can be themselves with, and that type of person is someone to seek out. Love you mom and dad!
