What do you do to calm yourself down?
For me? When I get really upset and I know things are going to snowball into something bigger I try to listen to any music, hang out with my pets, or even sleep. For some reason, sleep helps me a lot - even if it may be a symptom of our depression (excess or lack of sleep).
@Jbyrnes95
It's really easy to become anxious when you can tell that something is going to get worse. Listening to music and pets are great ways to cope with that! Sleep can be a good escape, too, if you can calm down enough to do so. <3
I used to eat. Unfortunately, emotional eating led to some weight gains and more depression.
Now, I love to do anything that distracts my mind from reality. Like gaming or coloring :)
Limiting caffeine and increasing water intake can help. Breathing exercises and half-smiling have a proven physiological effect, so I try those sometimes. Interacting with a dog has always been therapeutic for me, but I'm dog-less these days. Music is also a frequent source of relief for me. Humming or singing to myself quietly, listening to a song or genre that I associate with feeling good, sometimes lacing up my shoes and getting my body moving to a great song in my bedroom. Food and sleeping are always tempting, but not as effective for me in the long run. I know people who calm themselves by exercising or doing right-brained activities like painting, juggling, or meditating.
I really want to learn how to self-soothe more readily. Lately I'm trying to think about what I'd instinctively do for or say to a child who needs help to calm down. Surely I can learn to treat myself as kindly and respectfully as I would want to treat a child in my care. I'm still trying to find what works best for me, especially the self-talk that really reaches me when I'm needing to calm down.
Oh, and watching animals on webcams, too.
Deep breaths. They are miraculously effective.
Hey thanks everyone for sharing! I like to find someone to talk to. I have trouble with logic and thinking through a plan, so having someone with an outside perspective helps me. I also like to take a nap and take a shower. Sensory things help me reset my brain. :)
Sleep calms me. Like immediately. Or look at pictures of puppies and pandas
@Jbyrnes95 Similarly, I listen to music and talk to people. I think sleep really helps because it gives your body and mind the break they need.