Any tips on how to get through some anxiety?

[Zendrya]

I've been fighting off panic attacks multiple times a day this last week (not usual, I mean I usually have anxiety but not like this). Even as I write this I have this extreme tightness in my chest. I was just wondering if anyone had something they do that works well for them.

[CœurRosé]

○ Realize that it's just anxiety, and that it can't hurt you. Just let the anxiety flow through you. If you don't fight it, the quicker it will dissipate.
○ You don't have to run away or do anything special when having a panic attack - just keep going about life as normal and you can be certain that it will pass. Always.
○ Ask yourself "why am I feeling this way?". Have you not eaten for a while? Did you get enough sleep? Is something in particular bothering you? If it's a physical thing like eating or sleeping, then fix that immediately.
○ Self-talk is very powerful. It might take a while to sink in, but it will help you get through anything. Saying things (in your head) like, "It's just anxiety, it can't hurt me", "I can function with anxiety", or repeat "Calm" to yourself over and over again until you start to feel that way.
○ If this is a long-term thing (ie. you've been having panic attacks for a while), you should definitely consult a psychiatrist. For some people, anxiety and depression go hand-in-hand, so antidepressants might help you.
○ Don't avoid situations, places or people that make you feel panicky. The only way to get through it is to face them head on and accept that, though you might feel anxious, that feeling will go away and it will make you a stronger person because of it.

That's about all I can think about right now. Just remember - anxiety is a feeling, not a disease. You can't die from it and it can't hurt you. You should never feel embarrassed about your anxiety.

[Zendrya]

This was really helpful. Thank you so much

[CœurRosé]

You're welcome :)

[Darkfairie17]

Is there something that you can do that you know might help you calm down? For everyone this could be different things. Some people need a distractor, like a tv show or an activity. Other people need to work off their anxiety, through doing exercise.

Other people find that talking to someone helps. While other people find meditation to help as well. Especially if you do breathing exercises, that might help calm you.

Has there been something going on during this week which has been stressing you out or causing you worry? Maybe if you are able to reduce this exposure to the stressor it might help ease some of the anxiety attacks.

Also reminding yourself that this panic attack will not last forever. It will pass eventually. Just try to ride it out as safely as possible.

[Zendrya]

there has but it isn't something I can change. but thank you for the other advice :)

[mrsingle]

I haven't found a good way to deal with my anxiety. Exercise would be good if it wasn't people I saw that gave me anxiety and of its bad weather that's no good. Sometimes at night I'll take a hot shower or listen to music before bed, but even that isn't guaranteed to help all the time. I have a lot of stress and problems at home, that's where most of my anxiety stems from, so it makes sense why I am unable to get rid of mine, I need to move out.

[mrsingle]

Thanks for MHO

[crazyzach]

I get really bad anxiety attacks from stress to the point where I think all my friends don't like me and I'm gonna loose my job and my girlfriend is going to leave me but when it's happening you have to try to think of all the things that give you confidence that seems to help me

[kaylaS91]

Exercise helped me manage my anxiety a lot. When I'm feeling particularly anxious, as if I'm about to start hyperventilating quite often, or something, I go to the gym and push myself at cardio while there. Sounds counter-intuitive but it's helped me calm down every single time thus far.

I also noticed that there are some things that I do regularly which trigger or worsen my anxiety, namely coffee. So I eliminate coffee or anything caffeinated from my diet during particularly stressful times, like exam/presentation week.

[justlilly]

I had this problem when I was younger. I eventually went to counseling. It helped a lot. Then I had kids and I learned about a brand new form of anxiety that is much harder to get through. I hadn't had a panic attack on over a year. Then I brought my first child home from the hospital and had them all day. Eventually as I got used to things, it got better and more easily to control. Then I had my daughter and was diagnosed with post partum anxiety disorder. I take meds now, which help a lot.

Start with counseling. Give that a chance and if it doesn't work try meds.

[Zendrya]

I've tried counseling and people just tell me that I'm fine... but I don't feel fine

[justlilly]

Yeah, obviously you aren't. You need a counselor that will teach you coping techniques. I know they sound lame and like they won't work, but I have severe anxiety attacks multiple times per day and went to going an whole year or more without one using the coping techniques. Also growing up and learning how to handle the real world helped, too

[RJGraveyTrain]

I have suffered from panic attacks all of my life and I have a few things that work for me.

I do a breathing exercise firstly: deep breath in, and then hold your breath for five seconds before letting it out slowly. When you've let out all of the air, hold your breath for another five seconds, and then breathe in slowly. This works because it helps to slow down your heart beat and reduces chances of hyperventilation.

Next, repeat an inner mantra: I am okay. I can breathe. I am not going to die from this. This feeling will end. I will be calm and happy again. I will get through this - or something of the like.

[Kiwedin]

For me, the only thing that helps with my anxiety is creating a routine that calms me and sticking to it daily. I need daily exercise, a full night's rest, healthy food (no animal products), and meditation to feel sane on any given day. When I'm having anxiety, I listen to guided meditation, practice breathing exercises, go for a run, or make lists and write down exactly why I'm feeling anxious. I get overwhelmed easily and feeling like I have too much to do is often a source of my anxiety, so making lists helps calm me down, because then I feel like I have a plan of action. It's okay to be selfish when it comes to your mental health. Take some time for yourself and explore what makes you feel better, because it's different for everyone.

[Rcjh1987]

I have medication for my anxiety sometimes it doesn't help , I get to the point that I feel like getting sick etc but I was looking on pintrest awhile ago and came across an article it had things to help including an app of relaxing melodies, it works for me I don't know why but the brahms lullaby always calms me down.

[Rcjh1987]

also maybe try adult coloring books they have all different designs animals, flowers, geometrical for me I like geometrical it's not so complicated

[Zendrya]

I hate adult colouring books they make me more anxious because sometimes I get out of the lines. But I'll think about the music

[Rcjh1987]

I understand that is why I don't like the more complicated ones like the Animals one between the coloring in between the lines and all the colors I want to use...

[mrsingle]

How do they relax? I know of them but don't know how they are therapeutic.

[Rcjh1987]

@mrsingle the music or the coloring book?

[mrsingle]

The coloring books

[Rcjh1987]

@mrsingle for myself I have to do the less complicated ones otherwise I put way to much thought into it , like the animals kind I couldn't do those because I would want them to be the color they're supposed to be

[itsagirlthing900]

My therapist told me to count my fingers and toes. You sit down and rest your hands on your knees and list your finger/toe lightly and in order and count aloud. Also, be sure to take deep breathes in between each hand or foot. It takes a concentration so it allows you to breathe.

[1152pm]

I've had anxiety for 2 years and I'm still trying to work it out. I've only just started medication. Before that there was a lot of breathing and self talk. It helped just not enough.

[Anonymous]

Sex. Seriously. I used to have panic attacks all the time. I think I was a prude and holding in all my sexual desires. Once I started masturbating more, I began to feel better. Now I don't struggle with panic attacks at all!

[mrsingle]

When your out that's not reliable

[Opinion Owner]

@mrsingle "Out" meaning "out of the closet"?

[mrsingle]

No like out in public or at a store. If you get anxiety going out you can't have sex 😄

[Opinion Owner]

@mrsingle I've gone into a bathroom to masturabte before, and then relax 👍🏻

[Zendrya]

ya, no problems in that department and it doesn't help

[Zendrya]

but I am glad it helps you :p

[Opinion Owner]

Glad to hear your sex life is going well

[mrsingle]

Mens bathrooms are raunchy I avoid them as much as possible. I masturbate at home often to relax.

[Anonymous]

When I had anxiety crisis i used to drink a lot of water. It helped me somehow. I'd also watch some TV show or do something to make me stop thinking about the anxiety.

[Bobsi]

Just try to meditate... avoid horor movies or action movies... try to relax...
i had these panic attacks.. and i used medications from a dr. I it gets worse visit a dr. This isn't easy... tc...

[mikeaaa]

Distraction during attacks, or laying still until it passes. Valium helps

[orphan]

you should confront your fears under the supervision of a psych.

[apple24]

Its complicated haha!

[apple24]

If its terrible like I can't breath anxiety I usually take a few breaths or walk out of the situation. Until I am calm down. Sometimes I get mild anxiety and I remind myself I am okay its normal to freak out about so and so... I am here to support you. And than I remain calm! lol

[Waffles731]

@apple24 might be able to give you some advice

[Anonymous]

Take a chill pill maybe?

[Anonymous]

Get some sleep.

[Zendrya]

doesn't work anymore