Hey Pandas, What's An Anxiety Coping Mechanism That Works For You? (Closed)

Running. Everytime I get anxious or snappy because of stress my bf will ask if I would like to go for a run. Works everytime! Good music in my ears and bringing the dogs along helps too.

any kind of noise helps me. i just find a place that has lows, constant noises and kind of sit and stare until i feel a little better. i also like to sit in the shower with loud music on and sit on the shower floor.

When I'm at work, I have found doing stock count helps me. The Company loves it, as do my collegues, as it is one thing others hate doing. Half an hour of it calms me enough to go back to doing everything else.

Cats…just cats and only cats (or chinchillas if you have one)

If possible, something that involves moving. At work, I’ll try to go for a walk. If I’m home, yoga, yard work, or lots of cleaning. If my mind just will not settle, heavy metal music. Anything that will distract or drown out the noise in my head and hopefully reset my brain for a while. The music thing helps when I’m stuck with an issue at work, too. I also have a “things that give me anxiety” bingo card for work. It’s almost all forms of public speaking that I’d never thought I’d have to do as peon - like presenting something to over 40 people without much forewarning.

Cooking. When I get wound up I head straight to the kitchen. To do things properly takes every bit of my concentration. After a while I forget what set me off, and I can relax and enjoy and appreciate what I have just made.

Learn as many lessons as I can so as not to repeat the same reasons for the pain. Acceptance that pain is. That’s a big one. Because life is difficult and the reward for repairing the damage done to me that I continued to repeat to myself. That finally asking for help starts the healing. And I have found heaven is on earth, not after death. And accept that I do the best I can. Always. It is a sign of forgiveness for myself and kindness toward others, who are also doing the best they can. Think about it. No matter what. You ARE doing the only thing you can and that is the best you can do.

Sleep. Hard to get, and keep, with anxiety. I found a little trick to quickly get myself back to sleep during the night. Maybe it will work for others: When I wake (and don't have to go to the WC), I keep my eyes closed, try not to move (much), and sing a Nickelback song in my head. My brain gets bored quickly and I usually fall right back to sleep. It doesn't have to be Nickelback, of course, I think any dumb song would work (just not something to bring up emotions).

Redefining my day
I try to find joy in every day no matter how small. And use it to light my way

(Autism, PTSD, OCD & Anxiety.. if ganged up with migraine answer changes to hiding in my darkroom/converted walkin closet)

I always carry at least one small object or a plush or I chew gum

I go outside by myself and just breathe. I clear my mind and watch the sunset most days

I find that going outside at night, when everyone is in bed, and take three deep yoga breaths. If I can feel that my stress levels are about to pop I go outside and breath. I also chant "Goosephaba" No kidding! From the movie Anger Managment. Music also is good for you. Play some air guitar.

I have this stuffed bunny and and a security blanket that help me a lot, whenever I hug my bunny or I cuddle up in my security blanket i always feel like my mom is there hugging me and telling me that everything will be ok. I also like to do art especially painting and also baking/cooking helps.

In times of high stress/ anxiety simply grip your left wrist with your right hand and squeeze moderately hard. Say the word; "Calm" gently to yourself over and over.
Doing this has dramatic results. Something to do with your pulse and heartbeat. You can feel it working.

Holding onto something always helped. Whether a pen, keys, a small stone, any small object that I can hold in my hand. If the anxiety becomes overwhelming, since I was a small child I found holding onto something solid always helps calm the body and mind. I used to wake up from anxious nightmares and just reach my hand up to hold onto the headboard of my bed. It always gave relief. So, a table or wall - hands firmly grabbing or flat on something solid will help grounding. And of the times driving in the car during road trips, anxiety has hit from time to time - I turn on the music, loud, to drown out the thoughts in my head - that always helps.

I don't know if someone else said this but pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth during a panic attack. It helps lower your heart rate some how. Just don't do this to much because I would do this all the time and it irritated my tongue, don't know how.

Here's a two-fer.
First, mine. Hold your arms out directly from the shoulders. Take a deep brea

Medication. Lots of medication. Only medication. Oh, and also pessimism. When you know nothing matters and you are already sure everything will always suck anyway (which, admit it, is always true), then you are under a little less pressure because you know you won't miss out on any chance as chances never happen in the first place.

When I'm at home, I'll put on a pair of noise-canceling headphones and a sleep mask and sit on the floor. It's a bit like meditation for me, being able to experience the complete nothingness allows me to calm down and, when I'm ready, work through whatever caused me anxiety. I also love singing my anxiety out or acting inside my head as a means of escape.

I get really itchy when anxious, so I like to gently rub my fingers on my arms.