[Secretum]

For me, drinking herbal tea, listening to calming, Christian music, and wrapping myself up tight in a blanket all bring me a little relief. I take deep breaths too, but that doesn't seem to help as much.

You?

[behappynow]

Originally Posted by Secretum

For me, drinking herbal tea, listening to calming, Christian music, and wrapping myself up tight in a blanket all bring me a little relief. I take deep breaths too, but that doesn't seem to help as much.

You?

My answer is pretty bad, but I am trying to work on it. Smoking.

[maruf]

I distract myself with something else (real/imaginary scenario). I also say to myself ¡±being anxious won't change anything¡±. These help a little.

[Blue_Bird]

I also enjoy herbal teas. Reading relaxes me, and sometimes I listen to an app on my iPod called "Relax Melodies: Oriental"

[Sesiley]

Medications help

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[spring2014]

here's my list of coping skills that my therapist taught me
For high Anxiety
1) physical activity
a. walking
b. climbing stairs or stepper
2) deep breathing
3) mindfulness box
4) guided imagery
5) progressive relaxation exercises
6) diversions
7) counteracting thoughts
a. think positive
8) relaxation exercises
9) mindfulness
10) journaling
11) STOP technique

[OneInBillions]

Unfortunately the thing that calms me down the most is picking at sores. Whenever the anxiety really ramps up, I get an incredible urge to pick. I know it sounds gross or painful to "normal" people but it's true.

Other than that... Music tends to help. Or playing a video game to forget about whatever caused the anxiety. But they're only temporary fixes, I've found.

relaxing music (something like enya)

deep breaths

trying to think ahead to something positive that might happen afterwards

trying to get as much information about what ever it is that's making me anxious as possible, so know what i'm expecting

try and split it up in to bits... this is the main thing i'm anxious about, this is why i'm anxious about it- and then try and think of possible sinarios of things that can happen

knowing that if it got too much for me i can stop, and i'm in control- i don't have to do anything that makes me too anxious

forgot to say:

talking to others who have been through it

[AnxietyMaster]

Biting my nails.
Clenching up my calves.
Picking at zits and such.
Having a monthly breakdown where you just cry all day, and scream, and throw a pillow against the wall.
Biting my ceuticals.

[jaymoq]

Originally Posted by maruf

I also say to myself ¡±being anxious won't change anything¡±.

I love this ^^. Such a good reminder. But, obviously, sometimes hard to do in the moment.

Personally, I will listen to music, I will exercise, I will go see my horses, or I will go to Starbucks or a coffee shop. For whatever reason, going to a chill coffee or tea shop relaxes me. Typically because its something warm to drink, a relaxed mood, and there is always some soft music playing in the background.

But, honestly, my #1 coping mechanism is seeing my horses. I THRIVE in nature. I didn't realize how much I needed that for my anxiety until I moved in with my fiance (who owns a HUGE home in the city) and my anxiety ramped up to a nearly intolerable level. So, I have to force myself to go outside and walk the block, stay inside and do weights/cardio, and then go every other day to see my horses (that are now being boarded at a barn twenty minutes away).

When I am with my horses, I literally have no feelings of anxiety or depression. AT ALL. It is like a weight is literally lifted from my body. The minute I start walking away from them, it is like a wave hits me. Even my legs seem heavier. It is the strangest sensation. So, I take advantage of that. I know that they are my release. They are my passion. They provide me with relief from my anxiety.

If I cannot do any of these things (say I'm in a meeting or on a plane) I breathe deeply, I will draw/scribble (discretely) and I will engage myself entirely in the situation, i.e. take incredibly detaild notes to busy my mind so I am not focusing on my anxious feelings, heart rate, etc.

Great post! It can be helpful for others I'm sure!!

[Sesiley]

I didn't realize what I actually did or when I have anxiety bc it s so common! I bite my nails as far as I can, the skin around my nails, pick at my pimples, pick at my head, see if hair comes out, play with my hair...oh my gosh it's bad....

Would benzos help with that? What would?

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Would benzos help with that? What would?

My mother. You'd probably be really anxious, but you'd stop doing all that stuff just so she'd stop talking about it.

[Smileonmyface]

doing things with my hands - knitting, playing those games on facebook where you build farms and cities and things, coloring.
distracting my brain with the computer and tv.
sleep.

[notthisagain]

I know this is a bad habit, but I am a cuticle picker. I need to find a way to stop doing that.

Sometimes I take a scissors and hunt my hair for split ends.