Struggling with Anxiety: Seeking Tips

i like to sit and feel the ground, think about what it feels like, tell myself outloud! and describe other senses too! i also like having aaron’s thinking putty bc it’s sounds are nice and it’s cathartic to play with and you can still talk and do things (:

I use fidget toys and sour candy to help ground myself in public spaces. When I'm at home I take baths or listen to podcasts to help focus on something else at the time

Try different meditations based around grounding. Learn to make grounding techniques second nature. In the long term one of my favorite things to do is to step into other people's shoes. By thinking "if I saw someone do (insert anxiety producing activity) what would I think? It's a little hard to give people the benefit of the doubt, but if they're judging you for living your life then it's their problem. Try to think logically about anxious thoughts you're having. (It's incredibly tricky and may take you some time to pick up. If I can't do it in the moment I try to do it retroactively.) So I'll identify an anxious thought and ask questions about it and compare it to past experiences. Taking a second to ask "is this thought realistic and helpful to me in this moment?" Has been incredibly helpful. Also making plans for anxiety producing situations can be helpful. For example, I have a lot of anxiety around needles and medical testing. The night before, I pick out a playlist I can listen to to calm down. I also prepare myself to explain to the doctors that I am anxious about the situation. I pick out comfortable clothes that I still feel confident in. There's nothing wrong with setting yourself up for success! Sorry for such a long post (that probably doesn't make a lot of sense) but feel free to reach out to me if you want more help! (I do mean that, I would love to help, I'm not just being nice)

It takes me hours to come out of even just a few seconds of heightened anxiety, but if I get a day of just relaxing and playing a creative game while I listen to music or a podcast, I can usually calm down with no casualties from the irritability that comes with an anxiety disorder 😅

music is always my go to! lo-fi music is a good genre to try out. it always calms me down. also the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is a good one if you are in a situation where you can’t leave, like a social thing. five things you see, four you hear, etc!

Cold showers!! I know everyone says that and then they never do it but just for a few seconds at the end really helps ground me!! And prove something to myself! Fidget toys are great to!