Coping with Anxiety: Tips for Calming Yourself During an Attack

I try to drink cold water or get in-front of cold ac.

I repeat to myself, I’m okay, I’m safe, I’m loved (It’s from Mel Robbins)

I go into a different room where i’m alone or at least more alone, sit down and take deep breaths. My therapist also told me to imagine a happy place that includes things my senses like, such as a good smell and fuzzy carpet.

Grounding techniques work really well for me. Just touching whatever is around me, like a carpet, my cat, or my bed, and noticing what it feels like helps to slow things down. I tend to get really strong urges to self harm when I feel an intense wave of anxiety coming on, and when that happens, putting something cold on my face like an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables helps so much. Holding ice can sometimes do the trick too.