[hamster-bamster]

I went to a beading workshop. I had horrible situational anxiety. I noticed that when I was actually doing something with my hands, say stringing or arranging the beads, my anxiety lessened. As soon as stopped doing what I was doing, the anxiety would come back.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Maven]

I explored beading for a short while. In general, I found it rather relaxing once I got the hang of it. Same thing with knitting. But I gave it up when I realized I don't have the room or the money for this type of hobby.

[waynec]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I went to a beading workshop. I had horrible situational anxiety. I noticed that when I was actually doing something with my hands, say stringing or arranging the beads, my anxiety lessened. As soon as stopped doing what I was doing, the anxiety would come back.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

yes. i find working with my hands many times works better than reading. i suspect it is because the brain has more things to focus on. i build models and, when really stressed, do jigsaw puzzles. light stress can be eased with computer wargames because i can put myself in the situation. but i am really only engaging my brain. tactile hobbies work better when i am more stressed.

[ECHOES]

It works like a grounding technique, and what a nice bonus - you get to create!
I think creativity in many forms is relieving and for the same reason.

Also, this is how smoking works - the hands are busy and the mind is refocused. It's why it's harder to stay quit than to quit.

I'm glad for you that you found relief.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

It works like a grounding technique, and what a nice bonus - you get to create!

Yes, I created two Christmas presents during one class - I was really proud of myself. Pretty unique creations, too.

But Maven is right - it costs money.

[shezbut]

Rubbing a worry stone is free and it works well for me...

[Odee]

Drawing can really help me in that way.

I have a drawing tablet and can do art on the computer so there's no buying paper, pencils, supplies, etc.

[Maven]

ODEE!!! I'm so jealous! You have a drawing tablet! You make computer art! I started off college with the major Graphic Design, but have since found out it's not what I wanted. I'd like to take some computer art classes, but I think I need to learn how to draw (better) manually first. I'm in Fundamentals of Drawing, but I don't think I'm going to take FoD2. I am going to try to practice on my own, in my own time. I get frustrated in class, especially since the girl who sits at my right is just amazing! I'm jealous of people who are really good at drawing, painting, art in general, especially if they draw, paint or sculpt realistic art.

[polar_bear1]

Keeping my hands busy with any kind of hobby focuses my mind and anxiety gets less.
Best coping method I have..

So keep those hands busy Hamster

[Odee]

Originally Posted by Maven

ODEE!!! I'm so jealous! You have a drawing tablet! You make computer art! I started off college with the major Graphic Design, but have since found out it's not what I wanted. I'd like to take some computer art classes, but I think I need to learn how to draw (better) manually first. I'm in Fundamentals of Drawing, but I don't think I'm going to take FoD2. I am going to try to practice on my own, in my own time. I get frustrated in class, especially since the girl who sits at my right is just amazing! I'm jealous of people who are really good at drawing, painting, art in general, especially if they draw, paint or sculpt realistic art.

My Tablet is a Wacom Bamboo that's priced around $80-$100. It's an older model so I couldn't tell you how it matches up to the newest ones. And for years I used a freeware image program called The Gimp. You can google it up, it's a lot like photoshop. However, now I used Corel Painter and can say for a fact that the nicer program has allowed me to vastly improve my results.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Keeping my hands busy does seem to help with anxiety. I bought a bunch of Tangle toys and keep them scattered around my house, in my purse, in my car, etc.

[waynec]

Originally Posted by Maven

ODEE!!! I'm so jealous! You have a drawing tablet! You make computer art! I started off college with the major Graphic Design, but have since found out it's not what I wanted. I'd like to take some computer art classes, but I think I need to learn how to draw (better) manually first. I'm in Fundamentals of Drawing, but I don't think I'm going to take FoD2. I am going to try to practice on my own, in my own time. I get frustrated in class, especially since the girl who sits at my right is just amazing! I'm jealous of people who are really good at drawing, painting, art in general, especially if they draw, paint or sculpt realistic art.

i also do computer graphics, mostly technical illustration, for a living but have gotten away from it as a hobby. i prefer building models with my hands and really get into making them look real. i am planning to teach myself chinese ink painting next year.

[hamster-bamster]

I have not tried with computers; I suspect it has to be with actual materials to do the trick for me.