Coping mechanisms are important for a lot of people because they give an ability to deal with abnormal thoughts and feelings. Studies have shown that religious people are less prone to depression and anxiety. I think prayer is a great coping mechanism and can be used effectively by anyone religious or not to benefit themselves. By praying when you feel depressed or anxious you do multiple things for your predicament all at once. First thing is your depression or anxiety is recognized and becomes forefront in your thoughts. Secondly you address these feelings as being an issue and not being wanted. Third you open yourself up to let these feelings go, usually religious people do this by faith in God to take care of things but the reasons for you to let something go can be motivated by anything. I like to think I’m throwing my anxieties into a void of nothingness. Last you distract yourself from the way you were thinking about things.
I have been using this technique for a few days now and have already noticed some positive changes in my mood as well as feeling more at peace.