Coping with Intrusive Thoughts: Share Your Rituals

I spray some essential oil on my favorite stuffed animal and just cuddle him while focusing on my breathing

I try to distract myself by doing something I love doing.

I make my husband make me promise to stop worrying. I’m big on not breaking promises. So it’ll be like “make me promise to not worry about this”. And then he’ll make me promise. And then it forces my brain to stop worrying.

Our wherever i am, if I am in an unfamiliar place like a friend's house or a hotel, I think about what I would grab or do if there were zombies at the door. Would I run or hide? How would I barricade the door? Is this a good place to stay long term?

I count from 1 to 20 then 20 back down to 1 over and over. Or I repeat a word over and over with each breath. For some reason my word is Tattoo 😆 *breathe in* Ta *breathe out* Too

I really don't know if this is just me, but I go to my happy place, start deep breathing, and keep some part of my body moving etc. my legs or hands

idk if this is a ritual (i’m still figuring out my ocd) but i either twitch/shake my head really hard or say “shhhh” or “stop” out loud

i do a 4-4-4 breathing exercise. you inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale for 4 seconds. the counting gives me something else to focus on