Some things I do to get from big anxiety (and also depression sometimes) to relative calm, if one doesn't work I try something else.

-listen to music
-leave my apartment to listen to someone
-fiddle around repairing jewelry
-pray and listen to Bible passages on the net
-go to church Saturday is something I look forward to so I can calm myself and focus
-watch a cartoon or short comedy
-call my friend (if he answers)
-drink a glass of milk
-take my hamster out and let him explore on my lap, and talk to him
-put on makeup
-have a cig
-cry
-crochet
-write about what's bugging me
-walk
-try to dance the best I can (with music on)
-change the furniture around
-play tunes on the ivories (not great) but it's fun sometimes
-watch the shopping channel because they talk to each other calmly so I feel like there's 2 people quietly having a conversation
(I won't mention poor coping methods like yelling and complaining to myself, eating sweets)

peej