How do you manage those days when you're "in your own head"?

[simplydusty]

Curious to see if we can get a list of recommendations on here for tools or activities work for you when you're in your own head AKA having a bad day.

I bought a small LEGO set today to try whenever I'm having a day full of negative thoughts and anxiety. It was a recommendation to me by someone from another group to try when you need a productive distraction. On the way home, I played some positive upbeat music and found myself driving around with the windows down for another 45 minutes. Before I knew it, I was feeling a little bit better.

What tools and activities do you guys use?

[Hidden]

Hi Simplydusty, this is a good ask of everyone. I struggle with anxiety and have for years but here are some things that have helped me. 1) I try to physically take myself out of the situation that is getting me stuck in my head. I have found that removing myself from the situation helps my mind "reset" and get over the negative thinking. 2) I remember that the moment will pass. Emotions ebb and flow and I think if it like a headache. Which can be a brief moment of turbulent negative emotions, that can pass through and I can find myself again. 3) Try to do something physical, or work on a project that you know can stop thoughts, just any thoughts all together. Running or sports always help me with this. I don't think at all when I am working out.

[Hidden]

You drove around listening to the music! Love it!!

Let's see...find something in the house that needs doing. Or read a good book and get that story in your head. Or make patterns with dominos (which reminds me, I need to go get some dominos today...). The rest of my ideas have to do with socializing with others, which sadly is not so easy to do right now.