What do you do to calm yourself?

[Whisperer]

Hey everyone,
I know everyone has different ways of calming themselves to try and get rid of anxiety. So just wondering what works best for people during a panic attack or just when you get anxious.
Here are some of my ideas:

• Deep breathing
• Playing with a rubber band
• Rubbing a smoth rock
• Telling myself I'm not going to die, I'm ok
• Getting a drink of water
• Going for a walk

[Algernon]

Let time go by until I forget about it usually.

[Pelios]

When I want to clam myself down I usually want to be alone so I either go to my room close the down get my pillow and though it everywhere
put some music on
go for a drive
take a long relaxing bath
go to my secret place(tree house) and sleep there for a while.

[Algernon]

Originally Posted by mexico

When I want to clam myself down I usually want to be alone so I either go to my room close the down get my pillow and though it everywhere
put some music on
go for a drive
take a long relaxing bath
go to my secret place(tree house) and sleep there for a while.

You seem like a pillow throwing kind of girl Andrea

[Wallflower.]

Like Algernon said, usually I just give it some time and I eventually calm down and forget about it.
I try and comfort myself through positive thinking.
I watch my favorite TV shows or movies (like Friends or The Hangover) and it always cheers me up and takes my mind off things.
I love music, but it doesn't always help. Sometimes, but it depends on the artist or the song.

[Cabron]

I use self-talk and try to focus on the good things and things that are never going to change. I also just try to forget about it, whatever set me off. I sometimes write in my journal while listening to my iPod, that helps too. Or I go on here and make a thread about what's bothering me!

[✿ Orchidaceous]

I focus on my breathing, exercise, write or listen to music. (:

[Nicola]

I walk. And walk. And walk. It just helps me so much. And my music as well.

[Awakening]

I go to my room and listen to some music. If im somewhere that I cant get to my room I usualy just sit there and try to breathe because I get pretty worked up sometimes and I tell myself that its going to be ok a billion times.

[Stephanie]

I stop. Initially, I usually shout, cry and hit things, screaming into a pillow is good too. As long as it's safe and somewhat controlled, I honestly do think that it's best to get the emotions out. I usually talk to people about it and then when I've got most of it out, I usually lie down and listen to music or get absorbed in painting or art, that can really relax me.

[Gymnophoria]

I'll sit down with a notebook (or laptop if I have it) and just rant and write about anything and everything as fast as I can. It usually works because I'll sit and threaten to do this and that but by the time I'm done writing, I don't really feel the need to anymore, you know?

[MadPoet]

I listen to some calming Switchfoot songs.
Sometimes taking a walk alone helps.
I'll talk to and pet my dog. xD
Reading a book helps sometimes too.
Or I sign onto TH or Facebook.

[LittleFish]

It's really easy to screw up and make it worse when I'm on the verge of a panic attack, so I just relax and remind myself that, with time, it will pass like any pain or sickness. I just let it be what it is. It helps if I have the lights on, though, and if I'm in a place where I feel safe and comfortable with people nearby. Also helps if I wrap up in a blanket.

[Audacious]

I don't know why but when I'm anxious it's like my mind shuts off and I don't WANT to calm down. I have no idea why, again. But when I do get to that moment where I really need to calm down, I usually find someone to talk to (call kids help phone or the childrens mental health team) and talk to someone. Even if it's about nothing relating to my anxiety. I also pray when I'm anxious sometimes and I'm trying really hard to pray and read my bible more when I'm in those moments. Also spending time doing something nice for someone else helps. Like the other day I was anxious and whatever and my friend text'd me saying she was craving jones soda, so I got out of bed and showed up at her house at 8:30 pm with a jones haha. Also, I like pretending that I"m underwater (and can breathe) and I try to feel what it would feel like and imagine fish swimming around me and stuff. I usually end up picturing super mario...

[Pour the Teapot]

singing always makes me feel better. even though i totally suck, every time i'm upset i lay on my bed and sing. it always makes me feel better.