It was religion on occasion. I came to realize that my fixation with religion was in fact, a by product of emotional difficulty and nothing more. Thankfully, I have dropped religion as a means of comfort. I have also dropped alcohol as a pain masker. One particular online forum has become important to me due to my specific life circumstances. It is called, 'Out of the Storm' and it is a place of advice and support for those experiencing symptoms of Cptsd or struggling with the legacy left behind by traumatic life experiences. Youtube videos on self compassion are useful. Fly fishing is useful. Sometimes I simply have to retreat from life for a few days or a few weeks until I turn a corner. During this time I watch documentaries on youtube, often of gritty material like serial killers and drug abuse. Somehow that gets me through. Definitely explore self compassion on youtube, it will lead you to very supportive thinking styles!!!!!!!!

IMO whatever a person turns to in sadness is their religion.

Whiskey, and our German Shepherd,
Did I mention whiskey?

Usually, ice cream.

Music, painting, writing. I keep my sadness with my creative headspace.

Typically I turn to anything that distracts me, usually it involves friends and drinking ? also video games

@Holodeck30
Great question. Mostly put my head down and keep truckin. Sometimes fantasizing about travel, engaging with people more intimately, exercise sometimes, but no significant or organized alternative to religion as yet.

Lots and lots of positive strokes. You are here, you made it it. You are a success. Judge your life only on the good you do in the world, never against other human beings. Be kind to you. Really really kind. Eat well, exercise if you can, listen to things that make you giggle. Music and dance help. You are perfect just exactly as you are right now.

Humor, friends, gaming and travel. The same stuff when you're happy ? lol.

I finally figured out that sugary treats don't help me feel better, they actually make me feel much worse. I thought I'd be happier once I lost the weight I packed on during the last few years of uncontrollable emotional eating, but I'm not. I'm physically unable to exercise the way I used to... Long walks are out, as is anything that makes me too hot since I get dizzy and weak, and I'm already in a lot of physical pain. Many friends have dropped out because I was impossible to be around from my clinical depression, or like my recent ex that found "entertainment" outside of our relationship. So most of the time I'm cooped up alone inside my four walls. I try to play piano or read books, but I lose interest quickly. I'm at various doctors 2 to 3 times a week on average. I've tried everything, but I'm out of options. So most days, like yesterday, I spend in bed sleeping. It's the only way I can get out of my head.?

I turn to music and my pets. Sometimes I would write my feelings down in poetry.

I write out my problems. Sometimes talk to girlfriends. Or if just trying to figure things out, I walk on the beach, ride my bike, hike in the mountains, or if just no energy, sit outside and think. I try to figure out what I can do to create a balance or harmony, when things seem to be in chaos.

Depends. Music, nature (short hikes, gardening, walking on the beach), people (those who don't drain me), or distractions (YouTube). Sadness means I don't have much energy, so it's difficult to muster motivation to go to the gym or anything too taxing.

I suggest picking up an instrument.

My dog; seems she is the only one who understands.

Music, and the people close to me.

I turn to friends and family. I rely heavily on my own inner strength and my wild sense of humor, which as it turns out, is a marvelous survival tool. When my youngest child was 10 back in 1988, he fell victim to a life threatening disease that involved treatments I had never imagined and months of stays in the oncology wards of various hospitals all over the USA. People would say to me, "I just don't know how you're getting through all of this!" Like there was a choice? Even in adversity, or perhaps especially so, one has only two options: to either be part of the solution, or part of the problem.

Playing flute is comforting and an emotional release. I can make my flute sob.

"Can't you play any happy songs?" friends asked after my divorce.

"Not today," I replied.

I have found my self being rather frustrated the last several months. Can't say I am sad just my logic is stressed. What I have found drowns the thought is very loud music so I get in the car and blast the radio for a while.

Weed if I could.... tranquilizer or food...

Weed and my dog. I used to have a human being too but she left.

If you do not believe in another life in heaven or hell, then you value things more. You are able to keep negative people and things out. Life being so short, allows your mind to let your body go of the negativity that is within you. You question things more and want to find meaning in this world. Your body experiencing sadness could be a side effects of something not working in the physical aspect too. Get bloodwork, including hormones. You could have a deficiency in some vitamins and minerals. If everything fails change diet exercise and evaluate the people in your inner circle. You might need to try alternative medicine if you are having issues.

Get outside in the sun and nature and walk as long as I can.