Strategies for calming anxiety

I'm feeling major anxiety at the moment. My pdoc put me on meds 8 days ago for it but it hasn't kicked in yet. At the moment I'm trying to get by on Valium but it's not working. I have constantly worrying thoughts that spin round and round in my head and I don't know how to switch my inner thoughts off. Any tips greatly appreciated. I feel a nervous wreck.

Some things that I find help are...

• long hot showers
• going for a drive in the country or by the beach (even in the winter!)
• try to lose myself in a book or movie
• sleep
• colouring in a colouring book (sounds childish but if you focus on doing a good job, it does give your mind some relief from the anxiety)
• massage or some type of physical touching

Deep breathing techniques
Relaxation CDs
Take a walk (count your steps, when you lose track, start over)

I found cbt very helpful I used the "managing anxiety with cbt for dummies" book.

Meditation has helped me a lot.

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CBT is awesome for this kind of anxiety. Have you got any work books you can look back on? Meditation, deep breathing, and self nurture is always nice and helpful too.

I usually

Kickboxing
Read a good book
Hot bath with soothing music and candles
Watch a new tv series
Benzodiazepines as a last resort and go to sleep
Sit in front of a warm fireplace with hot cocoa and write in a journal
Contact some old friends and have a good laugh
Mindfulness and yoga never helped me because of the severity of racing thoughts but it could work for you!

Feel better

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