I have found that training myself to focus on my breathing has been a pretty big help for me personally. And when my mind wanders to just gently bring it back to my breathing.
Another thing I just started trying is when I feel a physical tension, to just clench my feet slightly, focus on that feeling for a moment, and then release. This has shown some pretty good relief for the physical effect, even if the tension is actually in a different area of my body (such as my shoulders).
I am curious to hear if you have any other tips for me.
Thank you!
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davidthecoder
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You are referring to "progressive relaxation" and it's apparently effective for a lot of people. There are certain times I've felt the need to use a recorded version of it I have on a CD of various stress relieving methods, and it has helped. Try searching YouTube for that title and I'm sure you will find several you might really enjoy.
Yeah, it is basically that! Except with the progressive version, they move to different parts throughout the body, and they are generally sessions that last a few minutes.
But I am just using it to spontaneously relax sudden feelings of tension from anxiety when it creeps up randomly.
Same here, I am actually looking for some tips on deep breathing. Currently I simply try to be mindful of my diaphragm and that seems to work. But for someone, I still feel like I am not "doing it right" (which would mean I am actually breathing with my chest).
Also I don't really clench my teeth personally, but I do need some dental work. Part of that is my anxiety. I only recently found a therapist that I like so I am still getting there, honestly with quite a bit of work ahead of me.
But I started meditating around 5 years ago now and am probably approaching 1500-2000ish hours across the board. I am grateful for that I spent for myself. Some of those sessions were quite difficult, as depending on the stress levels, the "monkey mind" would be particularly active.
Even after a lot of practice, it still pops up, although not as it did before I started meditating. Before then, I did not even have an awareness of just how much thinking we can be caught up in. That was a bit of an illuminating moment, but also a bit concerning at first. Due to its unruly nature.
But that simple practice of just bringing the awareness back to the breath, when done many many times, does become part of ones nature. It comes in particularly useful in anxiety moments, as I know that I can direct my attention to it. The mind can only think of one thing at once, and if it is your breathing, it is not panicky thoughts. And the mind and body tend to naturally settle.
I've tried it, but I'm not consistent enough with it. But I think my love for walking and swimming laps is indirectly forcing me to meditate with the steady breathing. I feel good afterwards. I used to blow bubbles outside too when I got stressed, after I quit smoking it. It made me realize I probably smoked to take those calming deep breaths, and the nicotine got me hooked. I also use television and my app games as way to meditate. It helps me focus on something other than the negative feelings I might me having.
I do meditate, and have for years. At first I only meditated sporadically. Usually when the anxiety and panic were high. When things calmed down I would fall off the wagon. After a particularly rough year last year I set the goal for 365 consecutive days. I accomplished that goal. Yesterday I was on day 393. I wouldn’t say that meditation has taken any of the difficult feelings away. I do however, notice a shift in that it feels as if there is more space between the feelings and I, if that makes sense? So instead of just reacting to every sensation or thought I am slower to respond and my responses are different. I have been doing a lot of other things along with meditation so in reality I am sure it is all of them coming together to help. I always feel better after meditating though, so it’s a win in my book.
Listening to soothing music with a cup of tea helps me.
If you look up somatic exercises there a few good ones to feel centered in your body. And then usually thoughts stop and that can stop anxiety.
I personally like meditative drums, like shaman drums or spirit journeys. I find them very relaxing and the drums help me focus and empty my mind.
What also really helped me is “the power of now” and listening to that audio book. That always soothes me and after listening a few times I was able to distinguish future-thought fueled anxiety and switching off the brain to be present, feel my body and feel less triggered and anxious. It help me really feel emotional peace probably for the first time in a long time and maybe ever intentionally caused and by myself. It might not work for everyone but for me the voice works, the exercises work, the way it is described how to get out of the mind and simply be and feel inner peace works.
The maybe most important thing I learned was not identify with my emotions and not identify with my trigger reactions, understand they are not me and not who I am and be able to observe emotions forming and fading and not identifying/being swept away.
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I have had an issue with clenching doing damage. 
Meditation... how does it help you. I can see the short-term value in it for calming and relaxation but I do not get the long-term value. 
Meditation 
Relationship with meditation 
What do you do, when you're not you?
What do you do when...…….?
