Tips to calm anxiety?

[AnaViaSalamanca]

How do you calm yourself when anxious and full or dread? Basically short term and instant fixes just to calm your anxiety down a bit and get on with the day?

Following as I could do with some tips

Consciously relax my body. I'll make myself aware my brow is furrowed, jaw is tensed, shoulders are raised etc, and from head to toe force each part of me to relax. Close my mouth and breathe through my nose only. Quick trick for the mind to believe it's not in danger. I hope this can help, it works for me. X

Glynis Barber on Youtube has a breathing exercise for anxiety, I do that

Thanks both. Trying these

This will sound mental, but I've found it works for me. Do you have any sort of instrument around- a recorder, harmonica etc?

Running always helps me, but as you say, sometimes you want something that just draws you out of yourself and stops your brain fussing for five minutes.

I was given panda drums for my birthday, and actually, if I'm getting stressed which is affecting my concentration, I sit for five minutes and play. No music reading. I just try to make a tune of sorts. Totally clears my mind and that buzzing stress is gone.

The same thing doesn't happen if I play the piano and read the music.