Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

What's the best way to calm your nerves quickly during anxiety?

30 Answers
Last Updated: 12/21/2021 at 12:59pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Lisa Meighan, MSc Psychology

Counselor

🌈 Welcome to 7 Cups :) I work using an eclectic style of psychotherapy and we work according to your goals, preferences and needs using evidence-based practices.

Top Rated Answers
TheGlovedOne
August 1st, 2016 3:06am
1) Drink slow, small sips of water 2) Take at least two mints at a time while breathing, two short breaths, then two deep breaths. 3) There is a meditating function on 7 Cups Growth Path and it balances out all emotions making you calm and at bay. Without full balance you get too much of one emotion, causing anger issues or depression. 4) Breathe in a brown paper bag if possible, if you don't have one then DO NOT use a plastic bag instead 5) You can ground yourself by thinking of five things that are one color, or on the ground. Things that surround you, list them. Once you do you will feel/remember that you are one of those things and that calms the majority of people down.
lovingBubbles17
March 19th, 2018 6:53pm
I listen to calm music, meditate and try to relax. ASMR is pretty good too. When i first found out about asmr i thought it actually wouldnt work. but it's actually pretty good
ghostPastry
April 10th, 2015 7:47am
Find something you can focus on. The easiest, for me, is my breathing. You could focus on something visual, or a texture, or music. As long as you're distracting your mind from whatever is making you anxious. While you're doing that, take deep, steady breaths.
Alyssaaaaa
February 9th, 2016 4:08pm
4-7-8 exercise! Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold it in for 7 seconds, and slowly breathe out through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat until you feel better! :)
lifeisajourney123
October 28th, 2019 12:08pm
Focus in your breathing. Occupy your mind away from your anxious thoughts. Inhale for 5 seconds counting as you do, then slowly exhale for 5 seconds. What you are doing is refocusing your thoughts on what’s happening now instead of anything else. It pulls you into the now. Anxiety and anxious feelings/thoughts are often fearing the unknown future. None of us know exactly what is going to happen but we like to try and guess so we can control the situation. There is no way to control the future. The only thing we can actually control is ourselves and focusing on our breathing is a great way to get your mind back on track.
allnaturalCupcake2608
September 22nd, 2020 6:51am
For me personally, I tend to get anxious or stress from time to time again. But, honestly though, who doesn't get stressed or anxious? Especially in a time such as now where everything is happening spontaneously or can be unpredictable, we need to be able to care for ourselves and calm our nerves. The best way that I like to calm my nerves quickly during anxiety or stress is to do breathing exercises or even meditating while listening to music. Doing these can help clear your mind from any negative thoughts or emotions but they can also bring you back to earth. Remember, self-care is the best type of care!
Zyy0929
November 25th, 2019 6:18am
Try to view your anxious thoughts as "guesses" rather than "facts." When you're anxious, your mind is trying to protect you. It wants to be able to predict what might happen in the future, so it can reduce the impact if it does happen. But just because the future is "possible" doesn't mean it will happen. Instead of obsessing over negative assumptions, you need to look for objective evidence. Make a chart like this: how much/what is the evidence for the negative outcome? Is there any other evidence that there are other possibilities, such as good outcomes? By the time you've finished listing these two parts, you may find yourself worrying about just one of many possibilities, and there's no overwhelming evidence. Don't tie yourself to your ideas. Think of your thoughts as lots of data going through your brain. You have the power to choose to believe some of them and not others. Instead of taking everything. Our ancestors had to be overly alert to danger and threats in order to survive i
dancingMusic5584
May 12th, 2020 3:51pm
I find breathing exercises to be very helpful during anxiety attacks. There are lots of different ways to do breaths. I like to do square breaths. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold for four seconds. Then repeat. Focusing on the breath allows your to put your energy and mind to something concrete and helps slow down the cascade of physical anxiety symptoms like fast breathing and quick heart rate. Something else I like to do is grounding. Noticing things in your environment or even how your body feels. Sometimes I count 5 things I can see, 4 things I can smell, 3 things I can hear, etc. until I calm down some. If my anxiety is caused by a problem or something stressful coming up (like an exam or interview) I might write a checklist of things I can prepare in order to calm myself down.
Anonymous
August 13th, 2018 6:08am
Removing yourself from the situation thats giving you anxiety would probably be the fastest way to calm down.
Joye74
April 10th, 2018 3:23pm
Deep breaths, drinking water, recollect a good memory, sun light, a brisk walk, music, or calling a friend. If nothing else, connecting to 7cups is a big help
courageousBreeze48
March 27th, 2018 9:12am
Find a secluded and quiet space and practice breathing exercises. Also explore the self help guide on anxiety to be found on 7 Cups of Tea. There are marvelous little exercises that prove very effective.
Anonymous
March 27th, 2018 5:47am
I like to check out cute photos of animals I have saved to my phone, color, and or play fun, distracting games on my phone.
justkismet
March 29th, 2015 10:59pm
You can try concentrating on your breathing, which is a quick and effective way to take your focus away from the subject of the anxiety. Just take deep and long breaths, counting them as you go, as many as you need.
JudithAsk9
March 13th, 2018 6:21am
Take a deep long breath. It really helps me, I don't know why it works so well but it does. Then I try to measure this hard situation from 1 to 5 how bad it really is, to try to put things in perspective. Sometimes I realize that most things I thought there were fives when I was anxious they turn to be 1 or 2.
StrikeFreedom
March 7th, 2017 11:23pm
Find someone you can trust to talk to. Sometimes just having a listening ear can relieve a lot of the anxiety.
TigerLilly55
August 30th, 2016 7:53am
Find a quiet place to sit down and take deep breaths. I remind myself that I am a good person and that I can overcome what ever difficulty I am facing.
AvrilGraceofGale
December 21st, 2021 12:59pm
1. Breathing practices- If anxiety takes over you and your thoughts, then try to concentrate on your breathing. If you know how to do breathing exercises, then I advise you to start it. The breathing practice "4-7-8" is also considered a very effective exercise. In order to better understand how to do this, watch visual videos on the Internet. 2. Reflection- Reflect on what is happening to you here and there. Very often, this practice will help you concentrate on your logical thinking and can show you the root of the problem, because of which you have such thoughts. 3. Meditation or sports- Both meditation and sports can help you take your mind off the momentary thoughts that eat you up. Instead, you will pour out all your negative and pessimistic emotions. However, do not forget that if you have anxiety - this is rather serious that only a specialist can diagnose for you, in which case you need to consult a doctor for professional help.
Greatlistener87
June 27th, 2016 9:29am
Keep your mind off the thing that is making you anxious in the first place, if you need the privacy take it. Take yourself away from the crowd and calm down 1st.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2016 12:01pm
To focus on your breathing - taking deep breaths (try breathing in for five seconds, pausing for five seconds and exhaling for five seconds). Do this for several minutes until you start to feel more relaxed. Remember to remind yourself that you're in a safe situation right now and nothing bad will happen. Try also not to think of the worst possible scenario that might happen if you can. Visualization is also a helpful technique.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2016 9:16am
During anxiety, I just close my eyes and try counting 1 to 20.. take deep breaths.. and focus on doing things rather than being anxious because I know later I would regret not doing anything. .
FaithGreen16
February 9th, 2016 8:34am
A great way to calm your nerves is to do something you find relaxing or comforting. For example listening to music, drawing, singing. something that can help take your mind off of everything and to help you stay calm.
Cosmiclover01
December 29th, 2015 4:19pm
Just take a few deep breaths, close your eyes and clear your head. Perhaps, even listen to music if your mind is still worried.
becksvhr
December 13th, 2015 4:54pm
Focus on just one thing, like your breath, or the sound of the bird outside your window, or the taste of your chewinggum. Allow yourself to neglect everything else around you (unless you're driving or walking somewhere, in that case keep paying attention but ignore all sounds and distractions other than the necessary ones). Focus on this one thing until you feel your breath easing and your heartbeat calming down. Slowly allow the world to enter your mind again, one by one. Good luck!
glowingLove43
December 7th, 2015 4:11pm
Taking deep breaths and focusing on something concrete and in front of you. Think about every aspect of the object the look, feel, smell, sounds, and possible if you can the taste of it.
lilscotsangel
November 23rd, 2015 1:56am
Deep breaths and zoning out helps me. Remain aware and alert to your surroundings, but take yourself to another place mentally
Anonymous
November 9th, 2015 6:24pm
I listen to music c: because it really helps me calm down! I love to listen to music if I'm abou to have a breakdown /.\ lol
Anonymous
October 27th, 2015 6:29pm
Breathing slowly helps for me, but people have there on ways. Usually thinking about something peaceful or giving yourself confidence
iammyown
September 21st, 2015 1:05am
Drinking water is very good, listening to calming music (classical, piano, violin are all good ones) doing a puzzle is a good way to relax, and of course, always talking helps!
Peacefulmeditation
August 18th, 2015 10:05pm
Deep breathing. Putting your hands on your stomach, slowing your breathing. Clearing your mind to focus on your breaths. Slow deep breaths.
divinewillpower86
April 16th, 2015 11:15am
thinking that someone before you would cry out loudly. This way you would be quiet and will respond to situation. Considering some one gifted you cold glass of drink in hot weather.