Things that help me cope with anxiety & insecurity

- Focus on my breathing.

- Search my environment for things to label.

- Tell myself that I will revisit the thoughts at a more appropriate time.

- Ask myself if it will benefit me to think about things that I can't change... If the answer is no, then I redirect my thoughts to what will benefit me. I think to myself, "What WILL benefit me right now?"

- Ask myself what I CAN change or do differently in the future to avoid being in situations that cause me anxiety.

- Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

- Speak to myself out loud, asking questions and commenting on what is going on internally.

Excellent list.

I like this list, especially the third one.

I think it's important to realise that it's okay to come back to those thoughts nearer the time.

would work say. if you're worried about a big event and you're thinking about it, even though the event's not for a few months

they are all good though

I certainly struggle with replacing negative thoughts with positive.

This intriguing to me. I'm not sure I understand what this means.

Thanks for this list! Hope it will be helpful for some people here.

I can't speak for the OP, but perhaps it means.. you see an object like a table or a door, and you can label it (or in other terms recognize it) as that object.

helps you know where you are, so it does make sense

Thankyou for a helpful and positive post ��

I meant that if I need to distract myself from thoughts that are intrusive, yet aren't benefitting me, I do so by focusing on my environment and labeling the things around me. Coupled with some of the other tactics like focusing on my breathing, I find it's even more beneficial to mix the two together, because then I'm multitasking and making it difficult for the intrusive thoughts to find room as I'm already focusing on two different things. (I also have OCD, so I deal with a lot of intrusive thoughts that I know are irrational.)

So for example, right now I could look around my room and find many different things to label... Soda can, cup, speaker, container, bottle, plate, headphones, chair, etc. when I run out, I try to remember the order in which I labeled the things, which creates a challenge and further occupies my mind. And yes, I have a messy room right now that needs tidying and cleaning.

Great list! I hope it helps people here!

I like want u r saying but for me whenever I am in situations like this I completely forget everything that I know I am suppose to do.

Thanks, I shall remember this.