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Whats everyone do to keep anxiety in line?

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Posted 7/23/2015 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't see a thread like this on here yet so here it goes....

as the title asks what do you do to keep anxiety/stress down?

I myself use very general stuff. I have a good collection of mostly nature paintings around the house creating a soothing environment. I also try making it to the shooting range every couple of weeks and blowing off a box or two of ammo (hope to start shooting competitively after I get my XD off layaway). Also automotive diagnostic and repairs seems to keep my mind steady, I repair my own vehicles and have a few family members and friends that come to me for repairs.
Posted 7/23/2015 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
RG,

Those are great...and personal interests are a good distraction from anxious feelings/physical symptoms!

I use a lot of the coping skills from our Resources. ..(breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, ect...)

...as well as positive mantras. These really help reroute my thinking and reduce negativity/anxiety for me.

Finding what works for you as an individual is key...so keep up the good work...

...but also getting input from others is great as well, so thanks for opening up the topic again.:)

S.C
Posted 7/23/2015 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
That sounds wicked cool going to the range!!

For me, alot of my coping comes from constantly staying
in learning mode about panic and depression. I am constantly
reading articles and studies, learning how my brain works.

A big a-ha moment I had this week was that I spend a great deal
of my time in "anticipatory panic". Just constantly staying in the
state of mind waiting for panic attack to happen knowing I get
them constantly through out the day. I am now trying to retrain
my little brain into staying in the current moment and stop the worry.
I never realized how much time I actually spent in near panic mode
until I read an article that someone here posted.

It gave me a name for what I am doing and I found this to be so
helpful. It was really eye opening for me to see all the waisted
time i was spending.

Anyhow that's my latest.
Linda
Posted 7/24/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
My newest addiction is coloring, it is helping so much keeping my stress down and I can honestly say that my anxiety has been next to none all week. Of course I have a terrible head cold right now and just trying to get thru the days, but over all I'm having fun. Bought 2 new coloring books today, I'm so excited I feel like a little kid at christmas, lol.

Other then that I watch alot of mindfulness video's on youtube, if you haven't tried one yet you should, they really help ground you and bring you back to the here and now.
Posted 7/24/2015 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
@Scaredy Cat

I have yet to do breathing exercises much (exept when I need them) and probably should try them more. Tempted to start doing stretching to side with the breathing exercises and see if it helps relax me a bit.

@lindamine

Starting out is always the hardest...its like starting a new job learning what do to when "it" happens and having your tools handy then learning how to use your tools. As for the shooting range if ya feel confident (trust me I've trained a few people confidence is KEY) enough try to find a range that has one on one training. Its almost like an art form...ya gotta relax (tensing makes it worse), aim, breath in, (count 1,2,3, fire), fire, breath out. My mind clears completely when I'm focusing in on my target.

Love getting out to hunt when I can...all the nature and fresh air! First time I was out hunting at 16 had a buck walk behind me about 10 yards away, guy I went with about 55 yards away seen it also...just an amazing sight. Lucky for Mr. Deer we were spotting for squirrel:)

Post Edited (RandomGuy) : 7/23/2015 6:38:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/24/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I used to go to the range a lot. I have an XD as well. Mine is an XD9MMSC. I have a CC license, and I'm small, so wanted something easy to conceal.

My right hand has experienced some extreme weakness and loss of coordination, so I'm a little nervous about going to the range. Just don't want to see how much my hand has deteriorated, you know? Guess I could practice with my left. I was doing that before my life went crazy with medical issues.

As for managing stress/anxiety, I use a lot of positive mantras right now, along with prayer & meditation. I think things through logically, and talk myself down. lol Sometimes it doesn't work, but usually it does.
Posted 7/24/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
going to the range for anxiety is something i never thought of trying. sounds awesume. i will have to give it a try. whats more fun than busting off some caps at targets? not much. its not cheap tho.
Posted 7/24/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
@AngelLisa

My mom, who has some sort of mental disorder, sometimes does the same thing with coloring books. As for youtube I do the same thing at times. Mostly educational stuff on cars, HVAC, guns, building stuff, etc.

@Jake'sMom (awesome name by the way, lol)

Carry license as well here, got a lil' SCCY, good gun but long hard trigger pull. XD I have on layaway is 4 inch service model.

I am naturally a lefty but have done some dry fire practice with my right hand because I want to eventually train up to switch handed shooting. I'd say give it a try might become a relaxer for ya!

Also same for myself on the logically thinking and talking myself down. Goes very well with breathing slow.

Just curious have seen a few of ya mention "mantras" from what I understand is that essentially meditation?
Posted 7/24/2015 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
When I'm feeling anxious the best thing for me is a swim, makes me feel better straight away, I think it's not just the exercise, it's the breathing involved.

Also, a surf once a week does wonders.
Posted 7/24/2015 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Mantras are positive things we repeat to ourselves, like: I know these heart are just anxiety. I can breathe through this. or I know there is nothing really wrong, and I'm fine. I have nothing to be afraid of or anxious about.

It's really just reassuring yourself (out loud if necessary - I talk to my dog Jake a lot ;) ) that everything is okay, and whatever emotion you are feeling will pass.

Aus_Dad, Oh to live by the ocean! I love the salt air, and it helps my breathing so much. I have asthma, and I can always breathe so easy by the sea.
Posted 7/24/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jake'sMom,
Agree, the ocean is amazing. I live about 2km from the beach and our summers are really hot so I spend a heap of time there.
Posted 7/24/2015 8:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi RG

I mainly use Mindfulness meditation these days to help with my anxiety as I find that the most effective and try and live my life in the moment rather than worry about the past or future.

Hibee
Posted 7/24/2015 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Let's see...i told anxiety within me that if it doesn't give me a break i'll break it myself. Apparently it got scared but sometimes sneaks out to test my body. But then it goes back to its hole once i know it's there. So, basically, just knowing yourself well is usually my way of controlling anxiety.
Posted 7/24/2015 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have minor blood-sugar issues that turns into MASSIVE mood issues, so I pay close attention to what I eat and how it makes me feel. I maintain a schedule as best as I can for sleeping, studying, and meals, and do my best to talk myself out of anxiety and irritation when I have to deviate. I mean, they're really just guidelines, so why worry?

I like to play video games with really involved stories when I'm having an anxious moment, just to get out of myself for a little while. The stimulation helps to take my mind off things and when I come back, it's a lot easier to look at my anxiety objectively and manage it.

When I'm at school for long periods of time, I take comfort in little rituals like getting coffee (decaf in the afternoons) or standing on my toes and stretching my feet like we learned in ballet ages ago. I think for the most part, little rituals get me through the day, no matter how stressful my day has been or how strange the environment is.
Posted 7/26/2015 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
Rituals can do a lot. Personally I know that if one thing is out of place my mind can go ape a bit.
Posted 7/26/2015 10:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi RandomGuy

I have OCD and have all sorts of rituals that I have developed over the years but they are not a good thing as all they do is keep the cycle of anxiety going. Through Schema Therapy I am starting to break some of the routines and rituals that I have and it has been incredibly hard because I have been doing them for so long but try and make small improvements each day.

Hibee
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