As I’m sure anyone with anxiety is well aware, some days are good and some are bad. Some days I feel like I’m on top of the world and some days I have so much anxiety that my anxiety gives me more anxiety. It’s as though I am fearing the fear itself.
Thankfully, over the years, I’ve managed to come up with a few means to calm myself down when I need to get my balance in check. I think of it much like self-care, but not in the way that most lists you find around the internet make it out to sound. No face masks, no essential oils, just balance. Balance is key, I find.
- Playing https://rainymood.com/. There’s something so peaceful about the sound of rain for me that it reminds the mind to simmer down and take life easy.
- Go to Yoga. Now this one is important to me. I am not a Yogi. I am not even a regular visitor to the yoga studio. Yoga is HARD. But, yoga is also exceptionally calming. Being in a room that peaceful with as many people around me all wanting the same peace I am seeking, it’s motivating to calm down. Putting yourself in an environment that promotes what you’re seeking, I have found to be exceptionally helpful to my well being.
- Cut the caffeine. This is because when I am anxious, caffeine only makes me worse. On days when I’m extremely anxious, I won’t have any caffeine at all.
- Getting a manicure. Sitting in the chair of a nail salon and having a stranger massage your fingers and clean up your cuticles is very calming. The salon’s always play relaxing music and it’s nice to just have someone else look after you, even if it is only for a half hour or forty minutes. I highly recommend this, even if you’re a guy. You don’t need to even paint your nails. Just having someone look after you is worth it.
- Taking in fresh air. Fresh air is good for the mind, body and soul. Whether it’s walk, a bike ride, or just sitting on my deck and reading a book, the fresh air of the outdoors always helps me find my calm. Furthermore, it’s a thought-blocker to hear the birds chirping and the squirrels running. #DoubleWhammy
- Telling myself that my fear is trash. Writing down what is wrong, everything that is negative or everything that I am afraid of and then tearing up the paper and throwing it away. It’s very therapeutic to throw away all of your fears, even if it is only metaphorical.
- Talk to someone who cares. I don’t need to talk about my anxiety, my fear or anything of the sort. Sometimes, just talking to someone makes me feel so much better. It helps me feel normal and connected with the world. It’s also a welcome distraction.
- Rewatching episodes of Friends or Frasier. These are my two favourite tv shows of all time. I don’t have Netflix, I use ‘ProjectFreeTV’. At this point in time I’ve seen Friends so much that I could likely regurgitate every line from every episode. But hey, you like what you like. And it helps when you know that something makes you smile.
- Colour. Adult colouring books are one of the greatest things to come to market in the past 10 years, for me. There’s something so soothing about pulling out my container of markers and opening up my colouring book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some peace in their life.
- Read a book. Or Read WordPress blog posts. Or read the newspaper. Or read anything. Because reading slows down the thoughts in my mind. And, if the thoughts in my mind slow down then the anxiety slows down. Reading someone else’s words is quite often the thing that helps the most. I think that’s why I find myself on this website so much.
Of course, everyone is so individual when it comes to anxiety that what works for someone might not make a difference for someone else. I think it’s all about trying to find the balance in your mind. So, if anyone has any suggestions of what they do to help calm themselves when they get anxious, I would love if you could share them with me.
Good tip (the caffeine one). I “overdosed” on caffeine a few days ago and felt terrible. I would recommend some types of tea which have a calming effect – camomile tea for instance. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love camomile tea . Any day better than coffee
LikeLike
I love all these!! I’m actually trying to calm my anxiety right now so this post was perfect timing! What I’m doing is watching movies on Mt. Everest. I’m not sure why-but watching movies on surfing or Mt. Everest take my pulse down. Oh and car washes!! The ones that you put your car in neutral and it goes through a longer tunnel-they help me calm down 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oooh, car washes are so therapeutic. Just sitting there and watching those machines work their magic and all the soap suds. I totally agree with you there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!! And the colors changing…so good
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great list of things to do! I also like to go for a walk if I am physically able to. If not, I’ll watch baking shows to mellow out for a little bit. I don’t know why it works, but I’ll take it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reading all of my old posts tonight and finding a whole bunch of comments that I completely missed responding to!
I just wanted to say that baking shows are so relaxing, I wholeheartedly agree. Walks are nice too. But being in Canada it’s not always easy to go out when it’s so dang cold! haha
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Depression Diary and commented:
Really great article I thought anyone here would benefit from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reading all of my old posts tonight and finding a whole bunch of comments that I completely missed responding to!
Thank you so much for sharing this ❤
LikeLike
Sound advice. My go-to comfort binge watch shows are Star Trek, golden girls, and the Andy Griffith show. 😂. I could also stand not to do three five hour energy extra shots a day.
LikeLike
Golden Girls is a good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Solid advice!
Long drives with good music works for me as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m reading all of my old posts tonight and finding a whole bunch of comments that I completely missed responding to!
Long drives with good music are really cathartic!
LikeLike
Therapeutic 💙
LikeLike
Try this (a good Scotch helps…)
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did put this on for about a half hour this afternoon while I was cooking. It was a nice background noise. Thanks for the new find!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great !! I love this movie so much…
LikeLiked by 1 person
#2, #6, #9 & #10…… these are my therapy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
Thanks for the list 🙂 High chance that you’ve heard of this – Calm.com is one site that helps me, specially the natural sounds..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I forgot to respond to this back when I saw it but since you suggested it to me, calm.com has become a favourite resource for me.
LikeLike
Sometimes when I feel a little overwhelmed, I sew something. Right now I’m making curtains for the kitchen and dining room.
LikeLike
Oooh sewing is really therapeutic.
LikeLike