what are some good and healthy distractions from my anxiety when it gets really bad?

Washing your hands. Playing a videogame. Calling friends that you like talking to. Thinking of your hopes. Thinking of things that you are grateful for. Drinking some water. Listening to music that you like and dancing it out or doing Zumba. Playing repetitive music in your mind, tapping with a foot as you do. Playing yo-yo. Holding a stress ball. Breathing deeply focusing on your breathing. Doing deep muscle relaxation. Watching and engaging movie. Going out for a run. Cooking. Taking a bath, giving yourself a self-massage. Writing a story. Reading jokes. Thinking of past successes. Seeing yourself as a child friend that you love very much and that is suffering and that you want to make feel better, and treating yourself like it. Laughing. Sleeping (if you can), so long as it is not more than 10 hours a day. Stretching for a few minutes. Playing with your children, if they are well behaved. Asking your children, spouse, or trusted friend for a massage. Letting water run over your body. Getting yourself into a nice, comfortable position. Putting your hands behind your head while laying down or leaning back, looking to one side without turning your head, until you swallow or yawn, then looking to the other side until the same happens. Playing music. Going out, looking at the sky, feeling the wind, the sun, the smells, the tastes, what you can touch, and thinking about what you like about those sensations. Petting a tame animal. Getting or giving a moderately long hug with someone that you trust. Writing down all your emotions, negative and positive.

Try meditating or doing something you enjoy. Also talking to people really helps. If you enjoy reading maybe you could read a feel good kind of story to take your mind of things. Try taking some slow, deep breathes as well. Think about something that make you feel really good, maybe it's your family or your dogs, maybe it's being outdoors, exploring nature. Exercise can also help take your mind off of the things causing you stress and it's good for your health! But whatever you do just remember that what works for someone else might not always work for you so try out different things. Explore yourself and you'll find something that helps, I'm sure!

Some things that I have found over the years as useful have been ... 1. Ice in the hands or on your face :) cooling ourselves down quickly can really help ! 2. Listening to my favorite song really really loud and probably on repeat haha 3. Go for a walk always a great idea ! And can bring music as well to help block people out . 4. Chatting ! When I needed it I aways reach out never be afraid to reach and talk to someone :) Your feelings are always valid and theres always someone willing to listen ! Always !

Hello there! First, I would like to say that I think that it's really great that you are seeking out some resources for positive coping mechanisms for your anxiety! There are many different methods that may help with your anxiety so you can choose which ever strategy is most suitable for you. A commonly used method is deep breathing. For deep breathing exercises they can be as long or as short of you would like (ex. for immediate anxiety coping 1-5 min. or for general anxiety 15-30 min.). Basically, you would inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly and try to be aware of your breathing. There are videos online which could help guide you through the exercise. Exercise is also a great way to manage anxiety. For instance, going outside for a short walk or doing activities in the gym can be very helpful for your anxiety/stress levels as well as your overall health! It may also be helpful to watch something funny! Of course, if things are getting very overwhelming it might be beneficial to speak with a professional as they can help you better understand the triggers behind your anxiety and help you develop and individualized coping plan. I hope you find this helpful!

I am writing this based on what has worked the best for me. When we are suffering with anxiety at the same time we are trying so hard to run from it at the same time if this makes any sense? It's a horrible feeling and we want so bad for it to leave us. Someone once said to me once to sit with it acknowledge the feeling in the solar plexus, pay proper attention to it, feel the anxiety without judging it, just concentrate on that feeling and keep doing this untill you feel it has gone down slightly and then sit with it some more, observe the feeling try to point to where exactly you feel the anxiety is it just on your solar plexus where else can you feel it ? give these feelings your full attention but dont judge them just feel. I don't know how this works but it worked for me. I'm not saying it will work for everyone but it's worth a try.

Try taking care of yourself! This is something that I love doing when my anxiety seems extreme. Take a shower or bath (use a bath bomb!), shave, put on a face or hair mask, put on some lotion, paint your nails, (for if you're a girl) and have some good music on the whole time. Then maybe read a book, go for a run, or meet a friend for coffee. And know that you can always message me or request me as a listener. Our community is open to anymore questions you may have, and we'd love to chat with you!

Whenever I feel really anxious I always get the urge to go outside, sometimes I like going on walks but other times even sitting outside calms my mind a bit, just getting some fresh air. Other distractions that might work are listening to (calming!!) music, writing, drawing, painting, reading, watching tv or youtube, talking with friends or playing a game on your phone or computer. Working out is also very good for your mental health, it doesn't necessarily work for me but I've heard really good experiences from other people. I'd recommend trying different things out and see what works best for you.

I have found many good and healthy distractions to help with anxiety. 1.talking to a trusted loved one 2.watching a movie or tv show that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable 3. Reading a good book or a magazine that brings you joy 4.meditating or practicing yoga is a good way to ease anxiety 5.writing in a journal or notebook 6.taking your dog on a walk or going on a walk on your own or with a friend 7.lighting a candle and taking a relaxing bath 8.leaving your house to get some fresh air 9.taking a nice long hot shower 10.i find cooking to a be a peaceful activity to help with anxiety

Take time to breathe Take breaks from what's giving you anxiety Tell your teachers and parents how you feel. Make sure you are comfortable with where you are and the situation your in. If not tell someone how your feeling and ask if you can take a break and go to another room. There are many other ways to help with anxiety and you can find some on Google as well. I hope this helped you in some way. Maybe keeping a journal and writing down how you feel can also help. Different things work for different people. Find what works best for you

I hold my breath for seven seconds. For me anxiety comes in quick breaths that I can't control. Holding my breath for seven seconds helps me regain control of my body. Start by holding you breath for seven seconds. Then exhale for six seconds. Inhale for five. Hold for seven. Exhale for six. This slows your heart rate and can be very grounding. When you count your breaths its harder to focus on the things making you anxious. After grounding myself I like to write letters. They don't have to be to a person. They can be to anything you want really. But I've found the most helpful letters I write are to myself. It helps me validate my feelings and deal with my anxiety.

Well, having anxiety can be very tiring for the mind but here are some good and healthy distractions you can do if it gets really bad: try to work on what you like, your passion for example or you can do some meditation too to calm yourself. Meditation will not only calm your mind but it will help you organize better everything that is going on. If it gets really bad, you can listen to some calming music or do some exercise too. Or, try to connect with some of your friends, talk together, laugh together. It will just make you feel better and worry less.

Distracting yourself from anxiety is not an easy task, but it definitely can be done. Personally I love to draw and paint while listening to music. It helps me get out of my mind and let’s me think clearly for a bit. Another great resource to use is reading a book. When you feel like your life is stressful, then get lost in someone else’s. Books are especially great for anxiety because you have to be focusing on the words, and not on being anxious. I would also say that excersize is a great way to let go of some of your nerves while simultaneously staying in shape!

practice breathing can help anxiety. finding a hobby can help anxiety. reading books about anxiety and coping with anxiety can calm anxiety. recognize what causes anxiety and try to stay away. reduce coffee consumption, at first i didnt think this was so serious but as soon as i stop, in a couple weeks i been calmer. listening to music, talking to people about anxiety, meditation. I found that my beliefs have help me so much control my anxiety and even held some part of it. there are so many things one can do for anxiety and the solution start with wanting to heal and doing everything it take even though it can give you sometimes anxiety about the future.

I keep a special basket filled with some knitting, hand sewing, writing and drawing tools, tablet with an assortment of pens, pencils and fancy ink, some small poetry books and magazines, several scented candles, box of wooden matches, a flashlight, a few hand lotions, a couple jar of candies and one of nuts, dark glasses, headphones and listen to some music, or my favorite radio with low volume. I only bring out the basket when I am having a panic attack or anxiety. I first light a candle and will take a few things out and organize the rest and usually with 15-20 minutes with my basket I begin feel the anxiety fade.

Music! Music that you can connect to, relate to or truly understand does really help. It's like you have a whole "perfect" world that you can just escape to whenever you really need to and I love this as a distraction.

One thing that helps me is to focus on something else. If you have a way to listen to music, then do that! Using the 5-4-3-2-1 method also works!

So I love knitting when I get anxious because I can focus on it and create something and when it’s finished I can wear it a remind myself of my achievement.

Music, reading, taking a bath, going for a walk, having a cup of tea, watching a movie, cuddling an animal

To go out into to the green, watch and feel the nature, or meditate with good exersices about where is the anxiety coming from to form it into trust of everything ;)

Deep breathing, helps a lot! Breath slowly in an out through your nose and out through your mouth, do 5 times until you feel calm, if not. continue deep breathing into your diaphragm

Distractions and how effective it is for a person may vary depending on individual interest, but generally, doing your hobbies is a good and healthy way of diverting your attention from anxiety. It could be something like writing, drawing, playing video games, exercising, etc.

Any hobbies you love! For example Gaming, Drawing, Photography. Anything that is constructive would be good to take your mind off of it!

I go on a walk at the park and I focus on the sounds around me, also my breathing. How my body feels and works. Basically it’s a walking meditation .

Staying active can be extremely beneficial towards combating anxiety. The body releases natural chemicals to offset the physical stress of exercise. As a result it helps alleviate mental stress as well. Activities such as going for a hike or a run, riding your bike, or even going to the gym can really help minimize the overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

Music. Music helps me cope with my anxiety when I’m really struggling. Sometimes also just talking to someone. It helps me relate to someone and remember I’m okay even when feeling anxious.

Best way to find calm when anxiety kicks in are to follow a mindfulness exercise. There is a great one on this site. If you are able to relax with this it is fantastic. Also when you have managed to find calm find something to do like a list to organise your time in a positive way. Find something to do that gives you pleasure. Look for a way to support other. I nice walk. Sign up for a sponsored walk. Find a class where you can learn a new skill and maybe meet new people.

Try to find some breathing exercises in any anxiety resource center. They will help you focus on your breathing and your body when your anxiety gets really bad and will help you calm down.

I have found that drawing, reading, looking at cute videos of dogs online, playing music, or any minimal things that you like for find you can do are good.

I have found music is really calming as long as just reading or going to the park! Even just going on a walk as well.

By feeling gratitude for at least three things a day. Praying and meditation. Being kind and helping others. Exercases like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness.Following your passion(e.g reading and colouring etc)Doing something constructive. Taking enough sleep and healthy meals.