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sowseedsofhappiness
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Default Sep 16, 2013 at 11:05 AM
  #61
I struggle with social anxiety. A few days ago, I started keeping a record of my daily achievements, big and small, as described on a PC blog called Weightless written by Margarita Tartakovsky.

In the blog post about empowerment, Tartakovsky writes about keeping a daily record of when we have been strong:

"Keep a file of your own accomplishments, times you’ve been resilient and moments you’ve stood up for yourself. Big or small, write everything down. Read this list every day."

Here is a link to the original post:

blogs.psychcentral.com/weightless/2013/09/the-power-of-empowering-yourself-and-tips-to-help/

This journaling and recording practice has been key in showing me that there are many moments in my daily life, that in the past I have most likely overlooked, wherein I am strong and resilient, whether it be confidently ordering a coffee, confidently leaving my apartment, or confidently walking down a sidewalk. In fact, after starting this daily exercise, I've become more motivated in social situations to overcome the anxiety I feel. Though it is not always successful (I don't expect it to be), I am always astounded when I do feel even a tiny bit more confident in situations where, in the past, I have struggled tremendously, and I have brought myself down because of that.

This practice has lifted a weight off of my shoulders that has been there since my childhood.

Try it out, and see if it works for you. It is definitely worth a try. I wish you all of the best with this practice!
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Default Oct 22, 2013 at 05:05 AM
  #62
I've actually just discovered that I have Anxiety and that it does run in my family. This is the first site I visited and found it to be accurate in the symptoms I am having. Because I my findings I have decided to seek a treatment from a professional.
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Default Feb 03, 2014 at 04:58 PM
  #63
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Default Jul 29, 2014 at 10:04 AM
  #64
for those who experience morning anxiety I downloaded an app for my Iphone called "End Anxiety" It's a relaxing hypnosis app that completely calms the body. I tried it for the first time this morning and it worked for me. It's also free.
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Default Jul 29, 2014 at 03:27 PM
  #65
lol, "there's an app for that". Gonna try it, thnx!
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Default Jul 30, 2014 at 05:47 PM
  #66
I googled SAS its another social anxiety website
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Default Aug 08, 2014 at 07:43 AM
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Default Aug 19, 2014 at 05:17 PM
  #68
Guided Meditation for Anxiety Relief

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Default Sep 14, 2014 at 05:39 PM
  #69
Mcbt

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Default Nov 18, 2014 at 01:20 PM
  #70
Socialphobiaplanet.com

helps me a lot when I'm not on psychcentral.com im on that
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Default Dec 06, 2014 at 04:12 PM
  #71
Posted by Blue_Bird
Quote:
I got this idea from the self-injury forum, list things you do to cope when you get anxious, here's my list, post your ideas:
-Color
-Draw
-Arts and Crafts
-Write in your Journal
-Play Solitaire
-Play a card/board game with family or friends
-Take a walk
-Eat a treat (chocolate, but not as far as comfort eating)
-Drink Chamomile tea or any of your favorite teas as they're calming. Or cocoa.
-Do a word search puzzle or crossword
-Read a good book
-Take a hot shower
-Talk to a friend or family member
-Play with your pet(s)
-Use a stress ball or something like that
-Buy nice smelling candles or wax melts for your room and use them
-Read/work through a self-help book.
-Post on a forum
-Play forum games
-Use your prn meds (if you're prescribed them for anxiety) only if you really need to and if you've tried at least a few other coping methods.
-Play a video game or a fun app
-Watch a happy movie
-Take a nap
-Blog
-Clean your room or any room in your house.
-Listen to relaxing music
-Do some relaxation exercises (Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.)
-Practice Mindfulness
-Do some Yoga
-Read inspirational quotes
Posted by Verity81
Quote:
Things I try to do when anxious:
1. Cuddle the cat!
2. Play video games
3. Practice mindfulness
4. Meditation to music
5. Watch television
6. Take a hot bath
7. Go on Psych C!
8. Read
9. Go for a walk
10. Act opposite (i.e. fake it till you make it!)
11. Don't try to cling to or push away anxiety, just observe and experience it as a wave, without adding judgments
12. Do something nice for someone
13. Clean or tidy
14. Take a nap
15. Remind myself I'm safe in this moment, I'm in no danger
16. Call or text T if very bad!
Posted by Insignificant Other
Quote:
I'm a walker .. I pace when anxious just to tire myself a bit to take the edge off .
Posted by gayleggg
Quote:
Breathe deeply. This helps me slow down my pulse rate.

Posted by vital
Quote:
What ALWAYS works for me is just snapping my fingers and making tiny decisions. I think it might be next to impossible to be afraid while you're doing that
SNAP CLUB
Posted by Gus1234U

Quote:
Think of soothing each of your FIVE SENSES

1) Vision: Notice what you see, find soothing things to look at.

2) Hearing: Pay attention to what you can hear around you.

3) Smell: Be aware of the memories that smell can bring.

4) Taste: Carefully savor flavors that the day brings you.

5) Touch: Find comfort in touch.

Self-Sooth

these are not listed, but i find them handy, too:

A) Reassurance: Tell yourself that you are OK, safe and unharmed.
(the danger is past, you have survived this before and now
you are stronger and more skillful than then.)

B) Take Action: Go for a walk or exercise or clean house or cook. (use your
body's natural focusing powers to leave the emotion behind.)

C) Refocus: Think about pleasant things. Push the hurtful thoughts away.
(have a hobby or a story, or a book that you like, to take your
mind to a better place.)

Coping With Strong Emotions:

1. Remember, strong feelings are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.

2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.

3. Emotions are temporary. Instead of fighting, relax into it. Just let it be.

4. Focus on facing the feeling rather than trying to avoid it or escape from it.

5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.

6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.

7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to fade.

8. Wait and give the feeling time to pass.

9. Look around you. Plan what you will do next as the emotion subsides.

10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.

11. Think about the progress made so far despite all the difficulties.

Some Specific Actions:

1. Manage your breathing, if it is rapid, breathe into a paper sack to lower oxygen uptake

2. Count your breaths, 1001, 1002, 1003, etc., up to 1020, then start again, slow down the count to slow your heartbeat. counting interferes with emotional feelings

3. Delay doing anything about your anxiety or emotion, just follow the steps and focus on getting thru it

4. Distract yourself, with anything that requires you to focus and is simple and handy - at home you might read something easy, like a magazine, or knit or wash dishes, whatever engages your attention;

5. Eat something to replenish the blood sugars that adrenalin has burned up, and give yourself at least 15 minutes for the kidneys to clean out the 'ashes' in your blood;

6. Write these things down and keep them with you, until you have made them a habit
practice these skills before you need them, or when you are just mildly upset, so they will be familiar when you are feeling very upset. i hope you find this information helpful~
Posted by Can't Stop Crying

Quote:
Top 21 Anxiety Grounding Techniques | Treating Anxiety

1. Bring up today’s newspaper on the web, notice the date. Read something fun!

2. Breathe slowly and steadily from your core. Imagine letting fear and worry go, evaporating along with each breath.

3. Trace your hands against the physical outline of your body. Experience your own presence in the world.

4. Call a friend and have a chat.

5. If you are feeling ‘stuck’, change how you’re positioned. Wiggle your fingers, tap your feet. Pay attention to the movement: You are in control of what your body is doing, right here and now.

6. Eat or drink something. Is it hot, or cold? Sweet or sour?

7. Meditate, if that’s OK for you. Otherwise use distractions like television or music to help settle down.

8. Use your voice. Say your name or pick up a book and read the first paragraph you find out loud.

9. Look at yourself in the mirror. Smile, even if that’s the last thing you feel like! How does that feel? What can you see? (If negative thoughts come to mind, write them down to look at later but let them go for now. You’re anxious enough as it is.)

10. Write out what’s going on. Keep writing until you start to notice it makes a difference, lets some of the things you’re anxious about out.

11. Take a shower/bath. Notice the sensations of the water.

12. Write somebody you care about an email.

13. Imagine yourself in a familiar, comfortable place. Feel the safety. Know it.

14. Take a look outside. Count the number of trees and street signs.

15. Exercise. Jump up and down on the spot. Try some gentle yoga, or ride a bike.

16. Hold onto something comforting. Maybe a blanket or an old stuffed toy.

17. Laugh. Even if that’s hard. Just the act of laughing about something, anything can break that spinning out of control feeling.

18. When you’re not too stressed, make a list of the things that provoke your anxiety. Take it to your therapist and ask them to help you find ways to desensitize you to some of those things. Then those triggers won’t be quite so powerful, and your anxiety coping skills will work better.

19. If you get PTSD flashbacks, when you’re feeling OK, make a list of the furniture in your home and what room it’s in. Give the list to a friend you can call to help you focus on what’s now and safe.

20. List 5 really positive things in your life. Put the list where you’ll see it and remember that there’s more to the world than just panic and fear.

21. Think about the last week. Was there a day you didn’t have so much anxiety? Remember how it felt to be less anxious than you are right now. What was different? What can change?

Once you’ve found which techniques help, make a list to put on your wall, or carry in your pocket.

__________________
Top Anxiety Resources Online -- Add yours here!

Children's talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives.
~ Maya Angelou


Thank you SadNEmpty for my avatar and signature.
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Default Feb 18, 2015 at 04:35 PM
  #72

__________________


MY BLOG IS NOW CONVENIENTLY LOCATED HERE!!
[UPDATED: 4/30/2017]


LIFE IS TOO SHORT, TOO VALUABLE AND TOO PRECIOUS A THING TO WASTE!!
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Default Jun 21, 2015 at 07:30 PM
  #73
That is a great site!!! Thanks
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Default Jun 27, 2015 at 03:36 AM
  #74
If you have a smart phone, there a very few anxiety resources available, especially if you're in a crisis. There are two I strongly recommend that are always available since they are downloadable apps.

1. Mindshift: On this app is a general background behind anxiety and the various types. It also includes a "My solution" section where you can plan out what you should do if you come across a certain situation. There also is a small log where you fill out how you're feeling for the day. This app also includes ways to think right, tools to used to relax, strategies and steps to take in different scenarios, and inspiration quotes. This is quite a good app to help decrease panic attacks and anxiety in the moment.

2. Self-help for Anxiety Management (SAM): This is my favorite app because it's composed of many tools and advise towards each specific situation. It's a therapy program that gives you a summary of what it is, a quick tracker of how you're feeling, forms of DBT (Dialectical behavior therapy) and CBT (Cognitive-behavioral therapy) in their "Help for anxiety NOW" section, how self-help works and things to do when stressed/anxious, a list for you to compose things that make you anxious, a tool kit designed by you, an anxiety rater, and "Social Cloud" where you can communicate with others using the app.

Both these apps are amazing and I recommend them. They have helped me in many situations and are easy access.
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Default Jun 27, 2015 at 06:30 AM
  #75
thanks for the help here i'll try it myself
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Default Nov 19, 2015 at 05:48 PM
  #76
My T just showed me this video during our last visit and it helped me to better understand my fears and anxieties, and how to deal with them. I wanted to share it with all who struggle with anxiety, like me.

https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=z-wyaP6xXwE

It's an illustrated and animated metaphor taken from Russ Harris's book on ACT, which can be bought here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-.../dp/1590305841

__________________


MY BLOG IS NOW CONVENIENTLY LOCATED HERE!!
[UPDATED: 4/30/2017]


LIFE IS TOO SHORT, TOO VALUABLE AND TOO PRECIOUS A THING TO WASTE!!
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Default Dec 28, 2015 at 09:40 PM
  #77
I watched the video, but what happens when the demons multiply? I feel like there seems to be more and more of them each day.

It makes sense and it really makes a good example of how it feels.
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Default Jan 28, 2016 at 07:47 PM
  #78
Hi
I'm new here. Somehow I feel better here.
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Default Feb 26, 2016 at 11:33 PM
  #79
I have a site for anxiety/self improvement called createmeaningfulchange dot org.

Articles go in depth on how to change and interesting facts about mental health. I also recommend anxietycoach dot com.
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Default Mar 09, 2016 at 08:33 PM
  #80
I can say try doing some breathing practices, stretch, know that everything will be okay. Know that you are not alone.
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