Aside from Therapy and/or medication, what techniques or habits have helped the most with your OCD?

[BaxterFudd]

As many can probably relate, I find that my OCD is much lower when I avoid caffeine. For a long time I drank coffee daily and switching to decaf or avoiding it all together has brought the level of distress down by at least 50%. Exercise can also bring some temporary relief. Are there any strategies, diets, or habits that you have found made a difference in your OCD? Anything to avoid?

[Hidden]

I think the single thing that's helped me most is a practice I picked up from my Mom: Every day I make a list of 20 things I'm grateful for. Big things, like my family; little things like the newspaper delivered to my door. My cats, a music radio station, my plants, a good book I'm reading, having clean running water (unlike millions of people around the world), etc.

My Mom's been doing this for years. I was not a believer, but I started it when we shut down in March and I was having nightmares. After a while, my nightmares went away and I noticed it's become a habit to find things to be grateful for. It's been a really good way to start the day. But I must confess, so is a cup of coffee. I'm delighted that cutting back on caffeine has been good for you, though Glad you're feeling better!

[MothFir in reply to Hidden]

I confess that I also look forward to a cup of coffee in the morning, plus a craft beer with dinner and chocolate for dessert. I don't have these things every day and I've never noticed a difference in my OCD, thankfully. That would be a tough choice to make. But as long as I take them in moderation I seem to be no better or worse.

I know they affect people differently, so for anyone struggling, by all means try cutting out some caffeine, sugar, and alcohol and see if it helps. The OP is not the first person I've heard who has benefited from abstaining from caffeine, and my therapist says that folks who eat way too much sugar can have fewer symptoms if they cut back. A reasonably healthy diet and exercise can help anyone feel better about life in general.

Aside from ERP and SSRIs, one thing that helps me is staying busy. If I'm caught up in doing something I love or feel is worthwhile, the OCD has less of my time to play with.

I like the list idea!

[Sear45ching]

I've stopped drinking caffeinated tea the past few weeks as I've been having a serious OCD flare for the past 6 weeks. I'd forgotten how hard it is and how bad it feels. Anyway, I think skipping the caffeine has helped some. I'm also on new meds, which are calming me down too. Things are slowly getting better. Does anyone do Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous 12 step program? I'm interested in trying it.

[BlackOnyx in reply to Sear45ching]

I've never heard of obsessive compulsive anonymous 12 step program. I'll have to look it up.

[BlackOnyx]

Going for walks or just getting out of the house can be helpful for me. I have a really hard time keeping my place clean. I have contamination OCD and OCD around responsibility to others, so my place can be a big stressor for me