Table 2 Use of management strategies ‘to pick myself up in the times I’m feeling flat or down’
|  | I do this regularly | I do this occasionally | I don’t do this but it’s a good idea | I don’t do this and I wouldn’t ever | Any use | No use | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % |
Keep myself busy | 163 | 35.1 | 194 | 41.7 | 87 | 18.7 | 21 | 4.5 | 357 | 76.8 | 108 | 23.2 |
Take some time out | 166 | 35.7 | 188 | 40.4 | 96 | 20.6 | 15 | 3.2 | 354 | 76.1 | 111 | 23.9 |
Reward myself with something enjoyable | 163 | 35.1 | 182 | 39.1 | 98 | 21.1 | 22 | 4.7 | 345 | 74.2 | 120 | 25.8 |
Talk to people close to me, or someone I trust, about a problem | 128 | 27.5 | 210 | 45.2 | 101 | 21.7 | 26 | 5.6 | 338 | 72.7 | 127 | 27.3 |
Distract myself from negative thoughts and/or feelings | 134 | 28.8 | 199 | 42.8 | 104 | 22.4 | 28 | 6.0 | 333 | 71.6 | 132 | 28.4 |
Use humour to reframe my thoughts and/or feelings | 150 | 32.3 | 180 | 38.7 | 101 | 21.7 | 34 | 7.3 | 330 | 71 | 135 | 29 |
Accept my sad feelings/‘this too will pass’ | 150 | 32.3 | 176 | 37.8 | 108 | 23.2 | 31 | 6.7 | 326 | 70.1 | 139 | 29.9 |
Notice my thoughts and try to change my perspective | 124 | 26.7 | 201 | 43.2 | 122 | 26.2 | 18 | 3.9 | 325 | 69.9 | 140 | 30.1 |
Achieve something (big or small) | 107 | 23 | 217 | 46.7 | 121 | 26.0 | 20 | 4.3 | 324 | 69.7 | 141 | 30.3 |
Do something to help another person | 100 | 21.5 | 216 | 46.5 | 125 | 26.9 | 24 | 5.2 | 316 | 68 | 149 | 32.1 |
Remind myself everyone messes up from time to time | 116 | 24.9 | 195 | 41.9 | 124 | 26.7 | 30 | 6.5 | 311 | 66.8 | 154 | 33.2 |
Change sleeping habits | 121 | 26.0 | 182 | 39.1 | 142 | 30.5 | 20 | 4.3 | 303 | 65.1 | 162 | 34.9 |
Hang out with people who are positive | 116 | 24.9 | 182 | 39.1 | 129 | 27.7 | 38 | 8.2 | 298 | 64 | 167 | 36 |
Exercise | 155 | 33.3 | 141 | 30.3 | 148 | 31.8 | 21 | 4.5 | 296 | 63.6 | 169 | 36.4 |
Eat healthily | 129 | 27.7 | 143 | 30.8 | 163 | 35.1 | 30 | 6.5 | 272 | 58.5 | 193 | 41.5 |
Cry | 64 | 13.8 | 207 | 44.5 | 116 | 24.9 | 78 | 16.8 | 271 | 58.3 | 194 | 41.7 |
Having a routine/plan out my time | 97 | 20.9 | 152 | 32.7 | 161 | 34.6 | 55 | 11.8 | 249 | 53.6 | 216 | 46.4 |
Spend time with a pet | 152 | 32.7 | 91 | 19.6 | 154 | 33.1 | 68 | 14.6 | 243 | 52.3 | 222 | 47.7 |
See a health professional | 83 | 17.8 | 156 | 33.5 | 192 | 41.3 | 34 | 7.3 | 239 | 51.3 | 226 | 48.7 |
Use positive self-talk | 83 | 17.8 | 143 | 30.8 | 160 | 34.4 | 79 | 17.0 | 226 | 48.6 | 239 | 51.4 |
Set goals for the future | 66 | 14.2 | 154 | 33.1 | 194 | 41.7 | 51 | 11.0 | 220 | 47.3 | 245 | 52.7 |
Focus on my life purpose | 64 | 13.8 | 126 | 27.1 | 178 | 38.3 | 97 | 20.9 | 190 | 40.9 | 275 | 59.1 |
Meditate/mindfulness/gratitude | 65 | 14.0 | 111 | 23.9 | 210 | 45.2 | 79 | 17.0 | 176 | 37.9 | 289 | 62.1 |
Join a group, club or team | 58 | 12.5 | 94 | 20.2 | 220 | 47.3 | 93 | 20.0 | 152 | 32.7 | 313 | 67.3 |
Follow faith, religion or spirituality | 63 | 13.5 | 59 | 12.7 | 73 | 15.7 | 270 | 58.1 | 122 | 26.2 | 343 | 73.8 |
Contact my mentor when I’m feeling down | 33 | 7.1 | 82 | 17.6 | 269 | 57.8 | 81 | 17.4 | 115 | 24.7 | 350 | 75.3 |