Tips for calming down?

[darkparadise]

Thought it'd be good for everyone to share their best relaxation techniques Personally I find breathing exercises really helpful, and distracting myself by going to the gym!

[Hidden]

Walking the dog. Stressed after town today but walked for 3 hrs and its gone. X

[sheffieldwed]

Hi i agree doing something to take your mind off definately works instead of sitting thinking about it love xx

[angelfaced]

Walking, apps on my mobile for relaxation/panic, counting the bricks of the house accross the road up then down, relaxation music found on u tube, a bath, reminding myself that anxiety cant hurt me and its a normal function of my body and that i am safe.

[copdber]

I don't normaly post but since the only thing that helps me is coming on hear or reminding myself that you are all hear I thought it was only right to answer this.

[gcossum]

Anxiety reduction exercise

Here’s a little exercise to lift yourself from a state of apathy to a motivated state in a matter of minutes. For instance, let's say you need to do some housework or wash the car, but you feel about as motivated about these tasks as you would if you had to pull your own teeth.

I want you to follow these simple instructions and see what happens.

Okay, close your eyes and think about the task you really don’t want to do. Experience all the pictures, sounds, and feelings associated with that. Not very motivating, is it?.

Now let your mind drift to a memory of a time when you were happy or felt motivated or a time when you were laughing so hard your sides hurt…take your time with this.

Stay with that feeling, see what you saw, hear what you heard, and feel what you felt. When you have got the feeling of happiness or motivation firmly in your mind then move forward in time to the task you don’t want to do, bringing all those good feelings with you.

Stay with those images a little while longer and then open your eyes, if the good feeling was strong enough, you will now feel motivated or happy to do that task.

If you still feel you don’t want to do the task, then you need to repeat the exercise and find a stronger positive emotion to work with.

Although this little exercise only changes your state temporarily, it will be long enough for your purpose. If you repeat this exercise on a regular basis, you will find that you can change your state easily at will.

Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

[matosh]

Do the things you enjoy and you've always wanted to do to your best ability.

1.Exercise is very relaxing., but the only thing that motivates me in the gym are the group exercises/classes rather than gym itself which can be boring to me. It uplift my mood in so much that i can go every evening just to get the good feeling.

2.Music is very relaxing whether listening or taking part. I attended a choir practise and i felt so uplifted that everything seemed to be under control.

3.Walking is uplifting to especially in the fields/forests/parks etc. Outside light in winter ans sunshine in summer are the best uplifters for me.

4.Doing something i haven't done before or going somewhere new uplifts me. Does not have to be an expensive/big thing, may appear stupid to other people but as long as it uplifts me i do.

5. Praying helps me to say aloud all my concerns/ worries even things i am embarrassed/scared to say without worry of being judged/labelled.

6.Studying can be stressful but i find it motivating as i feel i'm in control. Just to have that goal to achieve help me focus. I have enrolled on a short course in Fitness instructing and i feel excited.

7. House work, reading, computer, phoning,are uplifting but have to say i'm not good at any indoor activity, rather be out than be in the computer etc.

I know with anxiety/depression /phobias its not always easy to do these things, but its a continuous effort to live better life and feel you are in control.

All the best.