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

Being aware of my breathing and taking deep breaths. Mindfulness has helped me sooo much. And a good, warm hug helps me calm down.

Meditation mode. I immediately go into it even if I'm on a bus, at work or walking around.

Solitaire, on my phone. Calms me.

Petting my dog, spending time alone outside, and finding quiet places. I have hypersensitivity, especially to noise, so wearing noise canceling AirPods helps in loud situations. Playing the cello also helps me relax. I have social anxiety, so in social situations I sometimes take little breaks to recharge, or take deep breaths. Meditation before bedtime helps my anxiety so I can sleep.

My coping method is going for a small drive. I think it's because, growing up, neither home or school were safe havens for me. I was constantly bullied and threatened in school and I would go home to an verbally abusive mother that had no problem hit us if we stepped a toe out of line.

On the weekends, my Dad would load me up in the car and take me for a long drive. We'd stop in small towns for ice cream or lunch. It was one of the only times I didn't need to feel afraid and I knew I was safe. Now it's a coping mechanism.

When it gets really bad, I let out the loudest, longest primal scream, drop to my knees of exhaustion, stay there for as long as it takes. When I get up Im a different person!

Dropping the Anchor. Also known as 5-4-3-2-1.

1. The first step is to look around the room and name (out loud) five things that you can see (a clock on the wall or a car.

2. The second step is to focus on four things that you can feel. This could be the fan blowing on your face, or the texture of your jeans. Describe each out loud.

3.The third step is to name three things that you can hear. This could be a bird outside to the hum of the fridge.

4.The fourth step is to notice two things that you can smell. Perhaps the room freshener and you can smell something specifically (like a book or an eraser).

5.The fifth step is to focus on one thing that you can taste. Take a sip of water or coffee and describe how it tastes. Or you can eat a mint.

This technique helps get you out of an anxiety spiral and back into your body. It works well to ‘drop the anchor’ when you feel overwhelmed in the storms of life.

I draw it helps me release and transform all the icky stuff inside into something that I enjoy

I sit alone and writ stories or read

You are going to have to be more specific regarding what situation calls for coping skills. How someone deals with illness, family, work, relationships, society, death, loss, personal issues, require different coping skills.