Some advice please

Today I received some news that has left me feeling really uneasy. I don’t know how to cope with my feelings at this time. Last time I was hurt really bad I had some "comfort items". Smoking helped deal with my anxiety and whenever possible I was drunk. I have since quit smoking and I have just about given up drinking. I am half tempted to buy some cigarettes and a 6 pack but I am smart enough to know that won’t solve my problems. I try to stay busy and not think but that does not always work. Sleep is the only thing that will keep my mind off things but I’m at the point were I’m no longer tired.

Any ideas?

Work out.

Weight training, excercise, working out, whatever. If you don't, do. But don't over do it. It'll make you feel better.

Edit: I'm so slow.

Also, SG Chat.

Start reading something very long and very interesting.

its all about the work out.

Just dont leave your walletand mp3 player in your bag, in your locker. Its gonna get punked.

Wait, no, thats just me.

Watch tv and talk to other people about their lives.

Seriously though, spending time with other people worked best for me. So it's what I recommend.

I just got a craving for cream soda, wtf?

Get engrossed in a movie. I find that often works better for me than reading anything, because while reading my mind is still too free to wander.

However, there's also the option of taking some time to think, even though that's currently what you're trying not to do, and write it out. I don't know whether you're the writing or journaling type, but when there's something going on and I've got that fucked up feeling in the pit of my stomach, I find that getting out on paper all of the thoughts and fears and anxieties that I'd like to be running from can sometimes help calm me down for at least the time being. It sorts out what's going on and how I'm actually feeling and why (and why it either makes sense or doesn't for me to be feeling that way), and what I might be able to do about it--or else it helps remind me that I can't do anything about it, but by the time I've poured everything out on paper I'm too spent to worry about that as much as I was before (at least for a little while). That doesn't work for everyone, but for some I think it can help.

I like to watch movies, and at the same time work out when I need to focus on something else. Nothing heavy just dumbell work... curls flys etc with a light dumbell... it has the side effect of helping me out with work (being a sailor I need all the upper arm strength and endurance I can get)... and solidly focuses my mind away from the subject.

Then when I'm exhausted I can look back on whatever it is and I'll be too tired to get emotionally distraught.

Get out of El Cajon.

Take a vitalic and play with your pets.

Go out places, stay active. meet up with friends who dont really drink that much, as hanging out with heavy drinkers really wont help. work out, go climbing, bike ride, watch movies. there's loads of things you can do to keep your mind off things.

Run till your legs give way. Just make sure you drink a gallon of water an hour or two before hand to make sure you're hydrated & of course eat a good meal afterwards.

Thanks for all the advice thus far. Staying busy has done the trick but i cant stay busy all the time. When i go to bed its the worst, or when im alone working can get pretty bad too.

I like to set some time aside to be bummed out. Not the whole day, but some specific period of time. Like taking a nap or eating junk food. That way, it doesn't catch me off guard and it doesn't rule my whole day.

Read. Pile up a stack of movies and some food and watch movies all night. Be around people as much as possible.