How do I calm down?
29 Answers
Moderated by Sarah Robb, LICDC (Licenced Chemical Dependency Counselor)
Updated: Jul 27, 2020
AlexKej
on
Dec 12, 2014
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Calming down is essential for me, as I suffer from anxiety disorder and panic attacks. What helps me is most definitely distraction - I realize sometimes it's really hard to leave your work and responsibilities, but health is the most important. Whether watching a movie or reading a book - if you are not sure why you feel stressed/anxious this is the best.
Furtherly, when you realize whad made you anxious, TAKE TIME TO WORK IT THROUGH. Seriously. write down the thought that caused you anxiety and ask yourself some questions: why do I think certain way? Am I biased? What are the proofs that this is true? What are the proofs that this is not true? Try to be as objective as you can.
When you get anxious in a public place, breathing slowly with your daphragm and keeping your breath for at least 6 seconds is crucial. Then imagine something full of various colors. It will help your brain to distract from anxiety/panic.
Please, remember, put yourself first.
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emergeintolight
on
Dec 26, 2014
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Diaphragmatic breathing and visualization usually work for me. I close my eyes, take a couple deep breaths and imagine myself somewhere peaceful. I concentrate on all the aspects of that place, contructing it from memory. After doing that for a few minutes, I start calming down. Thought distraction is also a great way to calm yourself down, you could do that by counting the wrinkles on your palm.
OolongFantasy
on
Dec 11, 2014
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Square breathing is always a good tactic. Inhale 4 seconds, hold your breath 4 seconds, exhale 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Anonymous
on
Dec 14, 2014
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Picture something peaceful in your mind, do a small ritual like making tea, take slow deep breaths, look up pictures of baby animals or something else that makes you smile
Turtrox
on
Dec 29, 2014
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(I read this on the internet and found it very helpful!) Try to contract and relax various muscles in your body, start from your toes up. Try to find as many muscles as possible, and focus on the movements of your body parts rather than on the panic inducing situation at hand. Generally, by the time your reach your head, you should have calmed down!
Randy1
on
Apr 9, 2015
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Try using a distraction technique. For example, while you take deep breaths, try to name every city you have ever visited or something like that, or perhaps try to envision yourself in a warm and safe place. some people even close their eyes and picture a red stop sign and they say to themselves "stop, stop stop stop" until they find themselves calming down. There are many things to try.
Becca0926
on
Jul 27, 2015
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It will obviously depend on the person, but I fully believe in the grounding techniques used for anxiety/panic attacks. There are many ways you can do this, but one I like is the 54321 method, where you focus your senses on your surroundings. (name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell...)
clockworkcorndog
on
Dec 11, 2014
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Try timed breathing. It can help you can down and there's even apps to help time it. Breath in a pattern and about down your thoughts
ListeningGamer
on
Dec 11, 2014
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Well that question simply relies on what you like to do to bring yourself down from emotions that cause anxiety, depression and anger. I would suggest taking a minute or two out of your day to sit down and just relax. Take a minute to take in everything and breathe. As humans with the fast lifestyle that we've adapted to, we sometimes forget to slowdown after a stressful day.
AngeloF102
on
Dec 12, 2014
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A good way to calm yourself down is to engage in events or activities that are interesting or joyful to you, in order to ease the sense of anxiousness or being 'riled up.'
Anonymous
on
Dec 14, 2014
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Sit yourself down some where quite if possible and focus on your breathing, take deep long breaths and focus on how it feels and imagine with every exhale you feel calmer it may help to close your eyes too :)
Anonymous
on
Dec 18, 2014
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The best way to calm down is to first breath from the diaphragm. Once you have accomplished this slower and more productive breathing I suggest doing any activity you enjoy that relaxes you, whether that be reading, watching tv, taking a bath, or going on a run.
Anonymous
on
Jan 6, 2015
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You could try meditation or mindfulness exercises. To get started maybe look up videos on youtube or check out apps, there are plenty! Deep breathing exercises are also often good to calm down.
Cheer4Ever
on
May 8, 2015
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I listen to music to help me calm down. That way I can choose music to help me feel better weirder it be helping me get everything out by crying or just forgetting about what's wrong for a little while.
Anonymous
on
May 17, 2015
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Try to use some of the tool that 7 Cups of Tea Guides has the information is and can be helpful. And there are listener that can help you find ways to cope.
shortCircuit
on
Jun 17, 2015
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Listening to music and sitting by a beautiful place, like a beach, lake or a river always helps. That is all you need to calm down and relax, to get your mind off the back things in life.
PoliteOcean
on
Aug 31, 2015
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It can be difficult to calm yourself down depending on the situation that you are in or thinking of. Try thinking of things that make you calm, calm you down or divert your attention else where. Personally, I come to 7cups!
theflyingtoaster
on
Sep 15, 2015
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Stop. Take two minutes to sit quietly. Clear your mind. Pretend you're the only person in the room. Listen to your breathing. Draw some doodles. Write a poem, or a story, expressing your feelings.
Moonbeam21
on
Nov 3, 2015
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Take a few deep breaths! Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 2 seconds, then release all of the breath through your nose for 4 seconds. Repeat 3 or 4 times. Or try gently squeezing your thumb in he opposite palm for a few minutes- weird but works! Be kind to yourself :)
frostyTurtle27
on
Apr 5, 2016
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Focus on your breathing, feel it go in and out, and think of happy thoughts and memories whilst you are calming down. There are also apps that can help, such as Calm, which helps you calm down.