What Helps?

[RemyAnonymous]

So, I loved the thread where we could all talk about what’s bothering us right now, but I thought maybe it’d be useful to share what we do that helps us cope / feel better.

The things I find most effective in helping deal with my anxiety and panic attacks are:

- Not internalizing. Talking about how I feel openly and honestly with someone. (This unfortunately doesn’t happen often)

- Yoga! I’m the only guy under the age of 50 that I’ve ever seen in my classes - but it REALLY helps focus my brain on something besides my crazy thoughts. Also helps with body awareness, which lessens my anxiety related to new symptoms or sensations I feel.

- Reading. It had to be a book I can get lost in. Non-fiction doesn’t have as much an impact. If it’s an engaging story with an appealing narrative - my brain can be drawn in, this focusing on something other than my anxiety.

- Non-Action / Puzzle related games. I like crossword puzzles and video games to help me distract my brain. The problem with some video games is that they get my heart pumping - so I try only to play slower, more plodding games when I’m feeling anxious. The Witness and No Man’s Sky are, for whatever reason, fairly calming for me to play. Tedium in games is also somehow soothing.

These are the main ways I currently try to midigate my anxiety (outside of therapy and meds). Honestly, reading all of the experiences shared on this forum helps a lot too. When I think I’m uniquely ill, it helps to see other people are going through the same thing. I think to myself, “if it’s anxiety for all of you, it’s gotta be anxiety for me as well.”

Hope this thread give people some good ideas. Keep fighting.

 

[Talgin]

That is a great post! Positive thoughts breed positive feelings!

 

[PeggyJoan]

Great idea! The first thing I do when experiencing an anxiety attack is observe it and tell myself 'this is not me, this is something that happens to me and I will get past this'.
I love love being immersed in a good novel. My favorite book is All the Light We Cannot See. Reading gets me out of my head and immersed in something that has nothing to do with me.
I walk four miles a day and that is immeasurably helpful.
And, I come here - I have learned so much!

 

[brtmdo]

Great idea! The first thing I do when experiencing an anxiety attack is observe it and tell myself 'this is not me, this is something that happens to me and I will get past this'.
I love love being immersed in a good novel. My favorite book is All the Light We Cannot See. Reading gets me out of my head and immersed in something that has nothing to do with me.
I walk four miles a day and that is immeasurably helpful.
And, I come here - I have learned so much!

awesome positive strategies

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Great idea! I also like yoga, and meditation/mindfulness.

Another thing that helps me get 'unstuck' when I'm in an anxiety spiral is to mundane things or housework. Make the bed. Wash the dishes. Sweep the floor. It gets me moving a little, and also helps avoid depression!

I also try to 'lean in' towards things that make me uncomfortable when I'm anxious, but I know are truly safe, like playing with my son. He is safe, and his laughter helps me get out of my own head.

 

[PeggyJoan]

Great idea! I also like yoga, and meditation/mindfulness.

Another thing that helps me get 'unstuck' when I'm in an anxiety spiral is to mundane things or housework. Make the bed. Wash the dishes. Sweep the floor. It gets me moving a little, and also helps avoid depression!

I also try to 'lean in' towards things that make me uncomfortable when I'm anxious, but I know are truly safe, like playing with my son. He is safe, and his laughter helps me get out of my own head.

Adrienne, I agree! Doing the mundane is a huge help. I spent some time with my grandchildren this weekend and it was very comforting!

 

[JCP]

Going for a run helps me!
Also cleaning my flat usually helps me feel better afterwards.

 

[BeachWanderer]

it might sound mundane but just to keep myself busy works. I've been out of work for some time but after I get done applying for jobs online every day, I make my bed, wash dishes, make sure my apartment is spotless, then I go to my moms house and see if her or my dad need anything done. I do all their housework for them. I live across the street from a very nice beach so I usually walk on the beach and get some sun during the week too. staying busy for me works pretty good. and when I walk the beach I usually listen to an audiobook to keep my mind from going spinning in circles.