How do you calm yourself when you are anxious?

[Halo13]

I second the classical music. Vivaldi, or Bach comes to my mind. It should be calm, but uplifting.

Funny you should mention that because Bach is my go to for needing to relax, try to rest and settle down when stressed out. This song in particular - calming but uplifting:



Anyone reading with anxiety right now, please give it a listen (preferably with headphones).

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

I wish I can draw too.

I could teach you how to, if you want.

 

[k75]

Until recently, art always really helped me. Even something simple like coloring, that takes no effort or talent. I could just zone out and relax.

Another thing that helps a lot (especially at night) is listening to soothing sounds like rain. Maybe it sounds kind of weird, but I especially like hearing rain from the inside of cars or hitting metal roofs. I used to sit it my car and cry while it rained, and that helped a lot.

The best videos not only have the right sounds, but also have matching video of rain on the windshield. That's one of my very favorite calming things - watching big raindrops run down the glass. They make all sorts of interesting squiggle trails on the way down, which gives your mind something to focus on. You can zone out or turn it into a kind of game, guessing which water drop will trickle down the fastest and stuff. Good distraction.



I also find my cat's purring to be super calming. But she never does it long enough. LOL
One day, I randomly decided to search cat purring videos, and it turns out that's a thing. And if you like that and listen with headphones, it's like a cocoon of peaceful awesomeness!

 

[Done at Fifty]

Eat a lot or starve myself. One or the other. I make foolish goals like losing a lot of weight and having to stop working or praying for Cancer. Somehow this make me feel I have some kind of control. I also take anti-anxiety meds.

 

[Morphinekiss]

Coloring or painting helps sometimes. yoga and meditation helps a lot usually. If it's full blown to the point I'm pacing and obsessing I take Xanax.

 

[justanotherday]

I have horrible anxiety as well. I have tried lots of medications over the years and cannot tolerate the horrible side -effects. Anyone know of natural , over the counter stuff to help?

 

[k75]

I have horrible anxiety as well. I have tried lots of medications over the years and cannot tolerate the horrible side -effects. Anyone know of natural , over the counter stuff to help?

Chamomile, valerian, and passionflower are all natural stress relievers, but the problem is they're also sedatives. I've used them in tea, and there was a calming effect, but it made me really sleepy more than anything.

Lavender works for some people, but I've never had luck with that. Don't like the smell. You can try it as aromatherapy, though.

 

[justanotherday]

Chamomile, valerian, and passionflower are all natural stress relievers, but the problem is they're also sedatives. I've used them in tea, and there was a calming effect, but it made me really sleepy more than anything.

Lavender works for some people, but I've never had luck with that. Don't like the smell. You can try it as aromatherapy, though.

Thanks, I will try them.

 

[StillWaiting]

I could teach you how to, if you want.

May I know how to start learning to draw ?

 

[k75]

Thanks, I will try them.

I have this tea from Celestial Seasonings called Sleepytime Extra that's pretty nice. It has chamomile and valerian, and it tastes ok. Like I said, it is relaxing but also makes you drowsy. You have to make a strong brew with a couple of teabags to feel it, I've found. There's a plain Sleepytime as well, but it doesn't have the valerian.

You can also get supplements, but the tea is probably the cheapest way to test it.

 

[StillWaiting]

I

Until recently, art always really helped me. Even something simple like coloring, that takes no effort or talent. I could just zone out and relax.

Another thing that helps a lot (especially at night) is listening to soothing sounds like rain. Maybe it sounds kind of weird, but I especially like hearing rain from the inside of cars or hitting metal roofs. I used to sit it my car and cry while it rained, and that helped a lot.

The best videos not only have the right sounds, but also have matching video of rain on the windshield. That's one of my very favorite calming things - watching big raindrops run down the glass. They make all sorts of interesting squiggle trails on the way down, which gives your mind something to focus on. You can zone out or turn it into a kind of game, guessing which water drop will trickle down the fastest and stuff. Good distraction.



I also find my cat's purring to be super calming. But she never does it long enough. LOL
One day, I randomly decided to search cat purring videos, and it turns out that's a thing. And if you like that and listen with headphones, it's like a cocoon of peaceful awesomeness!

i wish I have a cat to hear its purring too. Guess I will just have to stick with the ones on YouTube

Eat a lot or starve myself. One or the other. I make foolish goals like losing a lot of weight and having to stop working or praying for Cancer. Somehow this make me feel I have some kind of control. I also take anti-anxiety meds.

Does anti-anxiety meds help?
I felt horrible while taking antidepressants so I stopped taking after awhile
Wha

Chamomile, valerian, and passionflower are all natural stress relievers, but the problem is they're also sedatives. I've used them in tea, and there was a calming effect, but it made me really sleepy more than anything.

Lavender works for some people, but I've never had luck with that. Don't like the smell. You can try it as aromatherapy, though.

what if I don't like drink tea that made of flowers? Is there any other alternative?

 

[k75]

I

what if I don't like drink tea that made of flowers? Is there any other alternative?

Sure, you can get pill supplements for those, too. Tea is just really cheap and easy, which is why I suggested it.

 

[Taki]

 

[ThriveOrDie]

I find high frequency tones strangely calming, especially this track:



Also Tibetan singing bowls:

 

[k75]

I find high frequency tones strangely calming, especially this track:

Oh yes! Binaural beats are absolutely amazing. You can find them for every mood, too, and I've found they actually work. YouTube is full of great ones.
Headphones are a must with those, so you get the full stereo effect.

 

[GinaIsReady]

First I administer a large dose of cannibis (preferably smoke). This is followed immediately by one or more of the following:
-paced breathing
-walking (sometimes I count steps or birds to give my mind rest from thinking/perpetuating the anxiety)
-sharing love and affection with pets
-saying the Serenity Prayer
-watching animal vids on YouTube
-shopping

 

[oxymoron]

Have a smoke. Then have another. Hoping I'd get cancer and die before my birthday on 23rd August.

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

May I know how to start learning to draw ?

Sure! Where shall we begin?

 

[262653]

As with most negative emotions. Acknowledging to myself that I am anxious, finding the stimuli, hows and whys, that sort of stuff. I find it helpful to write things down in a word document. To someone who is always interested, willing to listen and to provide insights, not insults. Someone who doesn't have an incentive to resort to personal affronts and to twisting words.

 

[ToodleyDoKangaroo]

Ok, here's my list, but it's not foolproof (hence right now because I'm currently dealing with it as a type).

1) Music (like others have said): I usually put on stuff that matches my mood because it makes me feel like I'm not alone.

2) Cats: they're pretty awesome when they want to love you

3) Driving: I live somewhere where I can jump in and be in the ocean within an hour. Also, driving around the city is good too—with the music blasting. Also, maybe treat yourself with a smoothie along the way or something.

4) Gym: this is very recent for me because I have a lot of trauma from exercise (it was used as a punishment when I was a child), but I like going somewhere with AC and just having something to do. Also, I'm a self-harmer, so feeling the pain actually makes me feel better.

5) Mall: this can be good or bad. Good - there's stuff to do, you can get a pretzel and look at cool things. There's also a movie theater in mine, so you could do that. Bad: people and crowds, depending on when you go. Also, I'm bipolar, so I tend to spend money when I'm manic, so it's not the best place for me when I'm up.

6) Meds: I still haven't found much that works yet, but I just got put on new stuff, so we'll see. Also, as people have said, do wonders! It's the only way I can shut off my brain sometimes.

A lot of this is trial and error, so you just have to see what works for you. Good luck!

 

[intheweeds]

Running, Weight Lifting, Music.

Getting my heart rate up and physically exhausting myself helps distract from what's going on in my head.

 

[StillWaiting]

Sure! Where shall we begin?

3D shapes like Sphere?

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

3D shapes like Sphere?

Very well... this will be tricky as I'm not doing it in person or live. But hopefully, this pic will help.

Step 1: Draw a circle.

Step 2: Plot out a light source.

Step 3: Shade along towards the edge away from the light source. That will be your shadow. Also make a shadow facing away from the light.

There are three ways to shade. Hatching, cross hatching, and stippling. The stippling is just dots that start out close together in the shadows but become more spaced out and less frequent as it gets lighter.

If you have pencil, you could smear it with your fingers to blend.

 

[StillWaiting]

Very well... this will be tricky as I'm not doing it in person or live. But hopefully, this pic will help.

Step 1: Draw a circle.

Step 2: Plot out a light source.

Step 3: Shade along towards the edge away from the light source. That will be your shadow. Also make a shadow facing away from the light.

There are three ways to shade. Hatching, cross hatching, and stippling. The stippling is just dots that start out close together in the shadows but become more spaced out and less frequent as it gets lighter.

If you have pencil, you could smear it with your fingers to blend.View attachment 14868

Thanks for the tutorial. I will try it once I get home

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

Thanks for the tutorial. I will try it once I get home

My pleasure!

 

[EmptySteph62]

I try to ground myself and focus on my breathing and ignore everything around me. I have psychotic episodes when I have panic attacks so I often find it extremely difficult to separate reality from delusions and auditory hallucinations. Closing my eyes and listening really hard to my breathing helps a bit, however when you're in public or around other people this method wouldn't be the best.

 

[Asta]

Meditation (from Thaïs) - Beautiful, soothing cello music:




Or maybe we should invest in a little catnip?? :)

 

[StillWaiting]

Meditation (from Thaïs) - Beautiful, soothing cello music:




Or maybe we should invest in a little catnip?? :)

View attachment 15306

I will try to listen to that video.


CATS Haven't been seeing stray cats these days

 

[Rollinggirl]

Stressed out by everything.
I am not sure how can I calm down when I feel anxious.
Just curious how do you guys calm yourself down when you feel helpless or anxious

I take lorazepam

 

[StillWaiting]

I take lorazepam

Does it really help?
Does it still have effect after taking for awhile?