what are some good and healthy distractions from my anxiety when it gets really bad?
304 Answers
Last Updated: 06/26/2020 at 12:10pm
Moderated by
Alex DS Ellis, MA, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Feeling depressed or anxious can be so overwhelming. I want to help you feel better and be able to enjoy life. You are not alone and you deserve emotional support.
Top Rated Answers
find something else to do? something to focus on? think about something nice. maybe a nice past experience? something positve.
I'm not sure if the the following I list will be helpful since different things helps different people, but when your anxiety takes over sometimes deep breathing helps. If you have hobbies, is there anything you could do to try and distract yourself? Perhaps reading, listening to music, dancing, singing, or simple meditating.
Anonymous
November 15th, 2017 10:18pm
I always play my favorite video game. I also like to meditate, it makes everything much easier for me.
When that happens to me, I focus on things around me that make me smile, such as an animal or an object that means a lot to me, or think about a fun memory that always makes you feel cheerful. Sometimes writing or journaling can help sort through your emotions, or sketching. Yoga is always good, not only for the body but for the mind as well. And last but not least, you could always talk to someone about your fears and why you feel the way you do, if you're not comfortable sharing it with close friends, 7Cups is a safe, great place to do so.
Anonymous
November 17th, 2017 8:34am
Talk to a friend, watch a funny movie, eat, sleep, play, go out, do breathing exercises, give yourself an advice
Anonymous
November 22nd, 2017 6:25am
You can try to do some grounding exercises, video games, taking a walk outside, listening to music or playing with animals!
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2017 2:08pm
listening to music, dancing, drawing, painting, going for a walk, sport, cooking .... it depends what you enjoy 😋
Anonymous
November 30th, 2017 11:39pm
The method that I use to help my anxiety is I use my 5 senses. I look around and list five things in my head that I can see. Then I mentally list five things I can smell. I repeat this for hear, taste (if possible), and touch.
Anonymous
December 8th, 2017 6:03pm
Singing, drawing, writing, taking photos, etc, are good and healthy ways of distracting yourself from anxiety
Personally, I've found that active, self-care steps like having a hot bath or shower, doing a little exercise - even running on the spot for a couple of minutes - can really help to distract the mind and calm it down. I also find that making a hot drink, or eating something nourishing, can boost your mood and give you breathing space.
Drawing, talking about, writing it out, listening to music. texting a friend, doing some homework. All of these thing help me
I usually go to travel, just to breath. Go somewhere new, but that's if I have money to spend. I also play my music, or compose songs. I cook sometimes and just eat. Anything of your hobby or something good that you enjoy doing
Anonymous
December 21st, 2017 6:26am
For a good and healthy distraction from your anxiety, you can try the Grounding technique. In this, technique, you have to identify 5 things that you can see, hear and touch. In the second stage, you have to identify 4 things that you can see, hear and touch. Finally, in the 3rd stage, you have to identify 3 things that you can see, hear and touch. This is one of the best techniques to help you lower your anxiety. Plus, always practice deep breathing and if it gets even worse, consider seeing a therapist.
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2017 12:19am
Play the 5 things game. Take a look around at your surroundings, name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and the last thing is concentrate on how you’re breathing, try stay as relaxed as possible.
Some really good and healthy distractions from anxiety, when it gets bad is cleaning, working out, talking walks- really anything physical. Once you live released a little bit of the physical portion of the anxiety, breathing deeply and slowly, taking in lots of oxygen is good way to slow down the feeling of he heart racing- once youve gotten thru that phase, the next might include watching a funny movie. Anxiety affects people in so many different ways that it is important to find out what works best for you and then make sure you follow that process each time. I’ve heard that it helps to make sure you follow a pAth that works so that you can automatically shift into that gear when the time comes, without having to sit in the negative thoughts that race through your mind.
Anonymous
December 31st, 2017 9:30pm
Finding distractions for anxiety can be very beneficial. Some ideas are to find things that generally make you happy when you're not dealing with anxiety. Some things that I find are good distractions are reading, going for walks, or laying down with headphones in and listening to music. Also, a lot of people find comfort in drawing, writing or other "hands-on" things such as cooking, baking, etc.
Anonymous
January 4th, 2018 1:56am
Listening to relaxing music, doing things you enjoy, spending time with positive and supportive people, can be some ways to distract yourself from feeling anxious.
Here are some that I used to use, try as many as you wish and stick to the ones that yield the best results: Meditation, mindfulness, work-out, read or write a book, focus on a hobby, simply relax watching your favorite TV show, etc.
- reading
- coloring
- watching home videos
- being with family
- watching something that will make me laugh
- listening to music
Anonymous
January 10th, 2018 7:18pm
Breathing exercises are some of the easiest and fastest way to relax yourself when you are overcome with anxiety. There is also something that you can do that will engage all of your senses and fully help distract you. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your happy place- a beach, your house, wherever that may be- and try to place yourself there mentally. Imagine the smells, sights, sounds, of this place. There is also this fantastic app called Calm Harm that will provide exercises for any time of stress you may be feeling.
I found that whenever I start to overthink or worry about something a lot it helps to get outside and take a walk or do something active to help get my mind off of whatever was bothering me. Something about exercise and doing an activity to improve my health helps calm me down and makes it easier to think clearly. Anything from going to the gym, going on a bike ride or just taking a quick walk really helps take my mind off of anything troubling me and let’s me focus on what I’m doing in the moment
Grounding techniques. Meditation. Swimming. This things saved me thousand times. Swimming is good option if you know how to swim (obv) and when you don't have any phobias regarding water.
Meditation,breathing exercises,walking,exercising,talking with someone you are comfortable with,listening to soft music and any hobbies that make you happy.Take care of yourself!
Anonymous
January 13th, 2018 5:44pm
Meditation, watching TV, listening to music, going for a walk, drink some water and have a bath? have a cold shower?! that'll shock you to not focus on it.
Anonymous
January 14th, 2018 1:34am
Some good healthy distractions are to deep breathe, watch fun videos, dancing around alot, squeezing a stress ball, running, or sleeping. I do anything to try to distract myself and focus on other things around me until the anxiety subsides.
Journaling, breathing exercises and listening to music are all very helpful for me when my anxiety gets bad.
Focusing on breathing techniques, hobbies, meditation, and physical exercise are all different ways of coping with anxiety, although at anxious times it might be very difficult to use any of these.
Breathe through your anxiety. This might sound obvious, however focusing on how anxious you feel, and how the breathe feels through your anxiety - it can be really calming â¤
Personally, if I find I am feeling really anxious, I meditate. Mindfulness meditation can be done quickly and anywhere - there are tons of videos, sites and apps dedicated to it too.
You can try: music, writing in a journal, watching a movie, going for a long walk, calling a friend, reading a book, learning a new skill.
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