Not all mental health tips come from therapy offices or self-help books—some of the most helpful ones are deeply personal and oddly specific. These 12 individuals opened up about the unconventional coping methods that helped them get through their toughest moments. Whether it’s talking to a second cup of tea or solving a Sudoku puzzle to fight food urges, each of these tricks might seem strange at first—but they genuinely made a difference.

One person was struggling with guilt over not spotting the red flags in a broken relationship, until their therapist wrote “You’re too close to see it” on a notepad and shoved it right up to their nose. It hit home—sometimes, you’re just too deep in a situation to recognize what’s wrong. Another therapist gave a different kind of wisdom: when one person panicked over tiny decisions, she told them to pour a second cup of tea and talk to it—then pour it out. That physical act of release made mental release feel possible, too.

Others found comfort in science. One teen struggling with an eating disorder was comforted when her therapist explained bloating as a temporary, biological reaction—not something to be feared. Another used a simple reframe—changing “I have to” into “It’s a good idea if I do”—to ease the pressure of daily tasks. And for one person recovering from binge eating, a $1 sudoku book helped them push through the toughest urges for just seven minutes a day—eventually leading to long-term recovery.

Some of the most powerful lessons came from unexpected places: learning that best friends can be emotionally abusive too, realizing that unspoken expectations breed resentment, and discovering that healing your inner child means showing her the love your parents never could. These may not be classic “therapy tips,” but they’re real, relatable, and surprisingly effective for the people who needed them most.