Utilizing your Coping skills while doing the GAPS diet

Utilizing your coping skills for any struggle you go through in life is the key to being successful.  So, it is no surprise that coping skills would come in handy when you first make the transition from eating gluten and dairy to no longer eating gluten or dairy products. This can definitely be a struggle and having five or so coping skills to use on your hardest days can help you through.

What are coping skills?
Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you are a glass, what to do fill your life with?"  The idea is that every person needs things in their life that make them feel happy or fulfilled.  And by doing those things we love in the midst of life's crisis's or struggles, we are able to cope with those crisis's or struggles.  A coping skill, simply put, is the thing that makes you happy and helps you to cope.  It can be as simple as painting, running, play sports, making mosaics or stain glass, reading a book, riding a bike, photography, etc.  It doesn't matter what it is as long as you feel refreshed after doing it.  It is something that gives you joy and you should be doing at least one of these things each day.

Next Steps?
 I want you to think of 5 things that make you happy or that you love to do.  Write these five things down and post them in a place that you can see while you are going about your day.   Now, do at least one of these things daily.  I can guarantee you that life's struggles will feel like small pebbles in the midst of your day because you have just as many happy things to fill your day with and think about.

Now for you mommies who want to write down...."play with my children", I want you to think of something else.  Yes, we all love playing with our children, but this is something we do to give life to our children and because we love them.  We are giving to them and not receiving.  A coping skill is something you do to give life back to yourself. So, think about the things you love doing aside from playing with your babies!