What are you guys doing to cope with PTSD?

I sing karaoke as part of what I do to cope. I don't drink or do recreational pharmaceuticals. I take my meds as prescribed and talk open and honestly with my VA providers.

Meds and VA psych.

As for strategies I use on my own: I got some basic guitar lessons and a guitar from Guitars 4 Vets almost 10 years ago - right now I've been going through Fender Play and Guitar Tricks to better learn how to play, learn some music theory, etc. I've found it's a great mindfulness exercise to focus on learning a riff or a song.

I'm also into nature therapy, and I'm an outings leader with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors program in my local Sierra Club chapter - I believe in the healing power of spending time outdoors and breathing fresh air, and can actually enjoy it when I can just walk in the woods and take in what's around me (unlike the time we spent in the woods when we were in the military). I also enjoy skiing, geocaching, and photography while I am spending time outdoors.

This is what I did which helped me. Then I have suggested to many folks who I mentored:

I will describe the mirror technique in detail. Go to the mirror and smile at yourself. You might have to fake a smile, but it is better than none at all. Over time real smiles will appear. Talk about who and what you love. Then discuss who and what loves you. It makes absolute sense thinking and talking about love will make you feel better. Say good things about yourself through positive affirmations. This is commiserate with the old adage a positive thinker is a positive person. Conclude the session with it will all get better. Use the mirror at least three times a day. If you feel overwhelmed by life or have anxiety at bedtime, then go to the mirror.

I found out if a person becomes significantly less depressed, then they can handle PTSD better.