Tips for helping with anxiety

[CuntyBumpkin]

I am struggling and I am not sure what I can do to get me out of it.

I have tried specific MH forums but I find that people want to vent and not really look at ways of helping.

My anxiety manifests itself in constant worrying over nothing. I worry about what people think about me, I worry about things I have said, mistakes I have made. Literally anything and everything.

The physical side effects of this are feeling sick, being distracted and being distant.

For any other sufferers, what small things help you get through the day? What helps calm your mind when it is going 100mph?

CBT might help? I have had in the past and it helped my challenge the negative thoughts.

Mindful breathing helps me - breathe in for 4, hold for 2, out for 6. The calm app is good for mindful meditations.

Exercise I think - if you can get yourself out for a run. I feel so much better when I can go for a run. I’m not particular fit or anything. And yoga. I do yoga with Adriene on you tube.

I play computer games to keep my mind occupied. Hidden object adventure games are my favourite ones to actually buy (when on offer), and I like the free little online escape games.

They all have things to study and work out so they keep your attention.

Yoga and meditation have definitely helped me, also keeping a diary and writing my thoughts on paper to get them off my mind.... if that makes sense lol

I find some exercise, cooking and reading can help calm me down when I'm feeling anxious. I've also recently started seeing a psychologist to help me get to the root of why I feel anxious, and it's been eye opening and very helpful. If you think you'd benefit from some kind of therapy, maybe that is worth looking into?

Oh and a friend bought me a
Mindfulness diary which I'd write in every day identifying what i was grateful for, what I was looking forward to in the day, and then at the end of the day to list good things that had happened. It wasn't a cure but while I was waiting for medication to kick in it was a help while I was still feeling incredibly anxious and down - it made me realise it wasn't all bad!

I've been anxious for a few months. It often manifests as health anxiety for me. What helps me is prioritising time for myself (not easy with kids, work and endless house chores), resting (I. E. Lying in bed with a good book), walks in nature, a long bath, massage, mindfulness. I basically need more breaks from kids/chores etc and need quiet time to unwind. It's not easy but I've got my husband on board to help make this happen. I also take Kalms, eat well and sleep well. I'm lucky that my anxiety doesn't keep me awake. It actually exhausts me and I sleep well.

I've just started a reframing anxiety course by Anna Mathur - you pay to download it but there's a discount available if needed.

Finding it very helpful so far - www.annamathur.com/courses/the-reframing-anxiety-course/

Thank you all,

@MrsIH I hadn't even thought about CBT, my employer has a programme I may be able to take advantage of. Thank you!

@JangledBat I have started to play little games on my phone which has helped but I think I need to move away from my phone. I may use my husband's switch.

Mindfulness is something I do to fall asleep but I have never done it in the day. I will look into it.

@SallyWD do you find the Kalms help?

Yes the Kalms help if I take the full dose 3 times a day. It's not like taking valium but they do calm me a little.

There's a really interesting Facebook group called " little peace of mind" which is very helpful for anxiety. It's difficult to explain but it's based on reframing what thoughts are - based on Michael Neills books.
That your thoughts aren't really real and you can change how you manage them...

I also play video games!