Hi Muse. I was cooped up in the house for years with agoraphobia. Once I started to recover, going for a walk or a run was helpful, but during the years when I was too scared to go outside, I had a lot of time on my hands and had to find ways to occupy my mind so the anxiety wouldn't drive me mad. Sometimes I was too edgy to focus on a book or a tv program, so some of the many things I did to get my focus off the anxiety and calm myself were:

- cryptic crossword puzzles

- yoga (I used Yoga Zone videos) and did Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga in my living room

- knitting (I learned how to knit while I had agoraphobia... and became quite good at it. Before I got sick, I was a graphic designer and really missed that creative outlet, so I started designing my own knitwear. The process of knitting is relaxing and doing something creative occupied my mind and made me feel better.)

- smoking (but I don't recommend this)

- learning new things (I learned some Scots Gaelic from tapes and brushed up on my German)

- singing

- listening to music really LOUD and just letting it take me away

Friends and family used to stop by for a visit (when I felt up for it) or call and check up on me every day and have a long chat. That helped take my mind off things too.

I think the key is to find something you enjoy, that occupies your mind and takes your focus off your anxiety for a while. I hope you find something that works for you.