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What are your personal strategies for coping with the symptoms of your anxiety?

Profile: Spiderman93
Spiderman93 on Nov 24, 2014
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When feeling anxious, I try and use music to calm my nerves. I also use an app called Calm. You can check it out by going to calm.com . Its a great way for me personally to calm my nerves. :-)
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Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 12, 2015
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A lot of people have a personal anchor, something that holds them down when they feel anxious. For me, that's holding on to my left wrist with my right hand. Just a simple act like that on it's own can help calm me down that little bit. In more stressful situations, I need to start counting out my breathing and pacing it out to make sure I'm not hyperventilating. If things get out of hand I always find it good to take a 'toilet break' where I take a few minutes to be alone. Sometimes I use this as an opportunity to fully concentrate on my breathing or even give myself a little pep talk. It's always good to take moments to yourself to calm yourself down.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jun 12, 2015
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I take long deep breaths, sip water, or go somewhere I can be by myself and relax. If I know that I am going to be involved in a situation that could trigger anxiety, like a family gathering, I tell someone I trust and they support me during that time. If there is no one around I make sure there is a place I can be on my own close by, I will also limit the time I spend there if I can.
Profile: wonderfullWillow66
wonderfullWillow66 on Jun 17, 2015
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Deep breathing. Mindfulness meditation. Taking a walk in nature. Thinking of something calming, like a day at the beach. Reaching out to a friend and focusing on their thoughts and issues for a while can help me to get mine into perspective.
Profile: catlady13
catlady13 on Jun 23, 2015
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"Rectangle breathing" : Follow the frame of a door slowly with your eyes. Along the long sides, breathe out. Along the short sides, breathe in. This helps me to calm down when I am anxious.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Sep 29, 2015
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i like to distract myself, if i feel anxious, i come on here 7 cups of tea. i chat to people about the way i'm feeling, or i'll go and watch something on the TV or go for a walk. it's all about diverting your brain from it, the more you think about how anxious you feel, the more your going to be anxious. Also try breathing techniques, breathing from the abdomen and not your chest.
Profile: Jennalovely2
Jennalovely2 on Oct 2, 2015
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Personally, when I am anxious I talk to a friend or my husband. I also write, take walks, and listening to calming music. Bubble baths are nice as well :)
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 1, 2015
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I don't have anxiety myself, but my girlfriend does. I try my best to assure her that everything is alright even if she feels it's not, but I don't push aside how she feels. Things are tough for a lot of people and I know that.
Profile: Mel
Mel on Nov 21, 2014
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I usually try remember that I have to take deep breaths, count, that will help you. In... 1,2,3. Out... 1,2,3. Also, I keep telling myself that I'm overeating, that's only the worse scenario, not the only!
Profile: Erynn
Erynn on Nov 21, 2014
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I make time in my day to stop for a few minutes and just focus on my breathing. I give myself a quiet moment in the morning with Tea before I begin my day. I use grounding techniques, like the non-judgmental labeling/cataloguing of all the items in a room. I identify and challenge my cognitive distortions. I talk about the anxieties that won't go away, or that get too overwhelming to deal with on my own. I go for walks. I write. I draw. I cook/bake. I pray. I take a shower. I write out the worst thing can happen, the best thing that can happen, and the most likely thing that will happen and then examine my feelings and thoughts futher. I see a counselor sometimes.
Profile: CelticFrost91
CelticFrost91 on Nov 22, 2014
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Doing something that I enjoy. It gives me confidence that I can do something that calms me down! I find that anxiety is about "over worrying", doing a hobby or activity with friends clears my mind. Music, of course, also is a huge help. Listening to someone else making their experiences into art is always relaxing.
Profile: TheLastBeforeTheStorm
TheLastBeforeTheStorm on Nov 23, 2014
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I fill out my Cognitive Diary, speak with friends and 7Cups listeners, do breathing and mindfulness exercises, use sleep meditation tapes, and exercise as often as possible. As far as immediate symptoms, I find that breathing exercise and a teaspoon of Inositol are best for me.
Profile: MonBon
MonBon on Dec 1, 2014
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Deep breaths, mostly. It also helps if I can distract myself by doodling or listening to music. Noise cancelling headphones are super helpful!
Profile: smileforawhile
smileforawhile on Dec 7, 2014
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I take deep breathes and listen to calm music. I redirect my anxious thoughts into something positive. I remind myself that I can't let my anxiety control my life; I'm more than my anxiety.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 17, 2014
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Taking a few deep breaths and really just taking a moment to calm down, try to realise what the Actual problem is (not what I think/feel it is!).
Profile: jazznicr
jazznicr on Dec 21, 2014
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Taking a deep breath and remembering nothing is nearly as bad as I think it is. I overthink this a LOT - to the point where I imagine these awful situations in my head that I think will come true. But in the end, things usually aren't as scary or negative as my anxiety makes me think they are.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Dec 28, 2014
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I use diaphramatic breathing. As a singer this is easier for me, but the strategy is simple; you have to breathe not just with your lungs, but also letting it fill your diaphragm, which is in your abdomen. Taking these breaths helps to calm down.
Profile: wishfulApricot39
wishfulApricot39 on Apr 30, 2015
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I make sure to try and not avoid the problems I think are occurring. I talk about them to someone I trust and make sure to take a minute to relax.
Profile: summersunset02
summersunset02 on May 30, 2015
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I try to remind myself that the majority of the time I have worried about something, the outcome has been more pleasant than I expected!
Profile: rainbowkitten
rainbowkitten on Jun 20, 2015
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I often challenge anxious thoughts that come to my mind by asking myself if my worries are realistic and are things that make me anxious likely to happen.Also,I try my best to stay connected to my friends and family and try meditation or other calming practices.
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