Everyday we deal with a range of emotions. But if you or a loved one has CF, you may experience more ups and downs than the average person. Having good ways to cope are essential for your emotional health. But recognize that everyone deals with things differently. An extroverted person is likely to have a very proactive way of coping, while a more introverted person is more likely to sit back and think it over.Coping with CF as a patient or as a loved one of a patient is quite different, too. Being respectful of the way you and other family members cope, communicating problems and being supportive helps reduce stress, especially in times of crisis. When you find something that works, identify it as a coping mechanism. Here are some tips. Get More Information
Educating yourself can help distill fear from the unknown and restore a sense of control. But for some people, too much information may cause more anxiety. They would rather receive information on a need-to-know basis. When seeking information about CF, consider your source. This website is a good place to start, but there is a lot of information about CF on the Internet that is dated or incorrect. The best source is your CF center. Staff there can provide you with a list of reliable websites. See the Guide to Healthy Web Surfing from the CF foundation. Communicate
Talking is a good way to cope. Sometimes being able to talk about something other than CF gives you a sense of normalcy. Talking can be formal, as with a counselor or therapist, or informal, like talking with a friend. Talking also means educating someone about CF. However, some people don’t like to talk about themselves because they feel like they are burdening people. Communicating with people through e-mails or letters is also a good way of coping. If you’re a non-talker, a family journal can be a good means to communicate. An art journal may also be helpful. Exercise
Exercise, which helps patients and family members feel better and manage stress, is especially encouraged for CF patients. Normalcy
Establishing a sense of normalcy––of being like your peers––will help you cope. Try not to let CF exclude you from any opportunities in life. That doesn’t mean you should minimize your CF, but that it’s one of many things that are part of your life. Being organized also helps establish a sense of normalcy. Get Involved
Finding ways to get involved in the CF community, like volunteering or fundraising, can make you feel less helpless. These are also opportunities to meet and get support from people who know what you are going through. But for some people, too much identification with CF disrupts their sense of normalcy, and getting involved in other extracurricular activities may be more helpful. 
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