The past year and a half has taught us that life is not fair and that many individuals have experienced deep hurt, anxiety, depression and more. The unfortunate part about life circumstances is that we do not have control over them. However, we can control how we respond to things. Positive coping mechanisms are meant to build one's resilience and redirect one's stress level. When dealing with a stressful situation, it is essential to evaluate and determine if you need to change your situation or discover a way to cope with the matter.
Various studies have spoken about two types of coping: problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Problem-focused coping is when you need to change your situation such as getting rid of the cause of stress. Emotion-focused coping is when you focus on your emotions since you cannot or do not want to change the situation that is causing you stress.
After you have determined the approach in which you are going to take, the implementation of how you choose to cope begins. It is essential that you create a plan of how you decide to deal with stressful moments because it is quite easy to adopt unhealthy methods that can have a negative effect. For example, an individual may decide to binge on junk food as a way of dealing with a hard day of work or finish a bottle of wine or two as a form of dealing with rejection. Both options may seem harmless at first until one's health is in jeopardy.
As you can see, a healthy approach to coping is for your own benefit. So when and if you are experiencing stress or dealing with a difficult time, the following coping mechanisms can be effective.
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Exercise (emotion-focused):
- Working out releases endorphins that are "feel-good" chemicals that drastically brightens up one's mood. Working out gives you an opportunity to redirect and exhaust your stress and frustrations.
Journaling (emotion-focused):
- There is something soothing about taking all of the thoughts in your head and writing them on a piece of paper. Keeping things in is not healthy. Therefore, I encourage you to write your feelings out.
Ask for help (problem-focused):
- Asking for help is never easy to do but it may need to be the very first thing for you to do if the very thing that is causing you stress can be rectified once help arrives.
Implementing a positive coping mechanism into your routine takes time and it is an individualized approach. Meaning, what may work for one person may or may not work for you. Having an open mind allows you to try new coping techniques. You will be very surprised that the technique that you least thought to be helpful may be the most relieving approach.
If you are finding positive coping mechanisms ineffective, I strongly suggest that you speak with a licensed mental health professional who can be of assistance.
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In celebration of Barbie's release, Rae graciously shared her beauty tips on Vogue's YouTube series Beauty Secrets, revealing her daily moisturizing routine, the products she swears by to achieve that stunning glow, and the lessons she learned in the entertainment industry.
Serum
Issa Rae
Vogue/ YouTube
At the top of the video, the 38-year-old revealed that she hasn't had any breakouts in over a year thanks to the Olehenriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment. Rae shares that she usually applies the serum at night before bed and rinses it off the following morning.
But due to the tutorial, the Insecure star decided to do it before applying other products to her face.
"There's no morning routine without my Dewtopia. I have not had a pimple in a year and a half since using this," she said. "Not even period pimples... I love this product."
Cleanser and Lip Balm
In the next step, Rae applied the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser throughout her skin to remove any excess dirt and help retain moisture. The actress also added Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly on her lips.
Scalp Oil
Issa Rae
Vogue/ YouTube
Further into the video, Rae stressed the importance of scalp care being considered a part of a skincare routine, especially within the Black community, as she applied Sienna Naturals Daily Elixir Hair & Scalp Oil throughout her scalp.
"Scalp oil from Sienna Naturals... I'm dry all the time everywhere, and scalp care is skin care," she explained while mentioning the other ways she has protected her various hairstyles. "I will rock braids. I'm good at wrapping my hair at night and preserving hairstyles. Barbie was a wiggy a-- set. I'll say that."
Vitamin C & E Serum
After applying the scalp oil throughout her hair, Rae continued her routine by rubbing in Eminence Skin Care Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum on her face.
There are benefits to using a serum containing vitamins C and E. Healthline reports that the sole reason that vitamin C and E serums could be helpful to one's skin is because it "combats different types of UV damage."Eye Cream
Issa Rae
Vogue/ YouTube
As for her eyes and how she reduces the appearance of dark circles, Rae revealed that she uses Lancer Legacy Eye Treatment Duo regularly while gently applying the cream to her eyes.
Also, in the interview, Rae disclosed details about her morning self-care regimen: waking up early, working out, and caring for her skin.
"I used to have super dark circles under my eyes. This is a Lancer Legacy Eye Treatment. Mornings are my favorite time of day. They are my time. I get up super early. I'm a 4 a.m. girl," she stated.
"I get my workout in, and after my workouts, then I feel like I've already tackled the day in the best way. And then this is where you find me, my skincare routine. That's also a way to unwind and get ready for the day. I do bask in it when I have time."
Rae continued the discussion by saying that she prioritizes her skincare routine so much that she doesn't leave home without any of her products.
"When I'm traveling, this entire routine goes in a small pouch, like a kit. It goes with me everywhere, every bathroom. I unpack it first. Where I'm at, I know that I'm home and my skin will be taken care of," she said.
Sunscreen
To help prevent any sun damage to her skin, Rae applied Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen on her face.
The Photograph star shared that before adding sunscreen to her skincare routine, she was one of the individuals that felt she didn't need it because she was Black.
But after Rae learned that skin cancer could happen to anybody regardless of race and location, she made a "concerted effort to put on sunscreen."
"I use sunscreen a lot, and I have gotten better about it because I was one of those ones. I was one of those Blacks that was like, 'Do I need it?'" she stated. "I've learned that cancer doesn't care where you're at. So I make a concerted effort to put on sunscreen."
Face Oil
In the last step of her skincare tutorial, Rae disclosed that when she occasionally goes to work without makeup, the product that helps her maintain her "glowy look" is Tata Harper Beautifying Face Oil.
"I will go to work without makeup if I'm in a rush, and when I still want to have that glowy, dewy look, I use this Tata Harper Beautifying Oil. I love it," she said.
Makeup
Issa Rae
Vogue/ YouTube
In regards to makeup, Rae kept it fairly subtle by applying neutral colors and a gloss. She shared how she loves bronzer, and her go-to is Tower Cream Bronzer. She also likes Dime Beauty Eyebrow Gel, and MAC Cosmetics lip pencil, and Sigma lip gloss.
While applying those products, The Lovebirds actress shared the one career advice that has kept her encouraged in times of despair over the years.
"I would say the best advice I have gotten has been like what's meant for you will be yours. That has got me through so many setbacks," she said. "That really gets me through times when I'm down on myself. When something is mine, and I'm ready for it, then I'm out here, baby."
Rae completed the look by applying her favorite scent Chanel N°5 to her skin.
The live-action Barbie is now playing in theaters, and for more of Rae's skincare and makeup routine, check out the video below.
