Coping Methods and Strategies

[ProNine]

So, I believe the title says it all, however, to those wondering, this thread basically serves the purpose of asking, what are your anxiety coping methods. What activities do you partake in as a way of just relaxing and basically recharging your well being. Even though anxiety is tough, I believe everyone has a coping method of some sorts even though you might not be aware of it conscientiously. For example, for me, it tends to be through my music. For example, I can either go out biking for an hour or two and just zone out with my music and my bare thoughts. While out in nature, I'm able to come and face my thoughts upfront and understand what has been going on since my last timeout. What about you, how do you stay sane?

 

[lexinonomous]

A friend of mine taught me a trick last night that sadly, I had to try out today. When I have anxiety attacks, my heart rate will sky rocket. My heart rate will go up to as much as 140-150 BPM while at rest. My friend is a nurse and was dealing with a patient having a panic attack last night. Their heart rate had sky rocketed and my friend had to go through a method with him to get his heart rate down. The method involves finding five objects in the room that are round, red, blue, green, etc. You keep doing this and your mind is occupied. This helps your heart rate go down and for you to calm down in general. It worked wonders for me.

 

[amy88]

I've actually gotten better at talking to people about my anxiety. Sometimes I think when I try and shove my anxiety into a little box and hide it away, it gets worse. If I talk to my husband or close friends and say to them I'm feeling anxious because of this, this or this - it seems to identify more of where the anxiety stems from. It just makes it easier to cope with when I recognize it - for me, anyway.


I also find things like exercising and having time for myself help. Whether it's a soak in the bath to de-stress or it's reading a good book and having some quiet time to recharge, those things are also useful for me.

 

[beautifullybree]

I have several coping mechanisms or techniques. I like coloring, singing, cleaning, baths, and even texting friends. Anything that keeps my mind occupied helps me greatly. I did see an article that tells you to smell something, taste something, touch something, and identify a few objects. The goal is to distract your mind and pull you out of it.

 

[gracer]

I find nature to be a consolation whenever I feel anxious or whenever I feel like I need a break. There's something about it that calms my nerves and clears my thoughts even just for awhile. I guess it's the pureness of it that influences a tired mind and soul to feel at ease amidst it. Being in one with nature reminds me that there's always a place where I could just feel peaceful and assured.

 

[joshposh]

For me the best way to deal with these feelings to is just slow things down and concentrate on your breathing. Never mind what's happening in front of you and the several other things that's bugging you at the moment. It's best to just walk away from the noise and be alone and concentrate on your breathing. Slow things down til your heart rate drops and then when you are ready, go back to what you were doing with after you hit the reset button.


This is a method that is free and doesn't require any medication or help from anyone. Just take it down a few notches and relax and breath.

 

[Guest]

If anyone has any tips to avoid awkwardness when talking to some types of people please let me know... maybe something that can break the ice or tension in the conversation.. sometimes when i speak to certain people (ie work colleagues or whatever) it feels so tense and im sure they feel it too because im so tense or stressed about it..

 

[ProNine]

If anyone has any tips to avoid awkwardness when talking to some types of people please let me know... maybe something that can break the ice or tension in the conversation.. sometimes when i speak to certain people (ie work colleagues or whatever) it feels so tense and im sure they feel it too because im so tense or stressed about it..

I honestly believe that you're more worried about talking to them, rather than breaking the ice itself. To that I must say, "sadly, it's difficult but you gotta do it". I believe almost any topic is good as long as you let the other person talk. People like to talk about themselves, and even if you don't speak much in the conversation, they will come to appreciate you for listening. It will also make you feel comfortable around them as you know more about them, which makes it easier to open up later on. Basically, in three steps:


1. Introduce yourself, break the ice by saying Hi and talking about any topic you wish through a question. Movies, for example, "Oh hey, you watched the Finding Dory movie, what did you think about it?" Let them do all the talking while you do all the listening. They will like you more for being such a great listener.


2. Ask all the questions, listen to all the answers. Follwoing with the first step, do this over and over again with different topics. Overtime, you'll grow comfortable around these people as you feel like you've established a relationship with them, and that they're no longer strangers.


3. As you're now comfortable around them, talk about some of the stuff you like. By then, you'd be engaged in the conversation that it will flow naturally.


Good luck!