I am a woman in my 40s and have a lifelong serious anxiety disorder. I genuinely think it's baked in and part of who I am. I've had a couple of seriously bad times but mostly it's just been very general. I'm feeling pretty good at the moment. My anxiety affects me every day in some way, but I've found some things that work for me and I was wondering what your biggest game changers have been, mental health wise? Mine are:
Medication: Slow release betablockers every day. Keeping the physical anxiety symptoms away helps me break the cycle of panicking about the panic.
Moving house to live in the countryside. When I walk in the woodlands and down by the river near our house, my heart sings. It's such a simple joy.
Getting two dogs (I should caveat this by saying that I also have increased anxiety in a way because despite never being a dog person before, I love them so desperately that my anxiety often fixates on them running off/getting sick/dying/behavioural problems that could develop etc.) The love that I get from them is so bloody pure though... It's such a feeling to be adored the way they adore me. Hugging them is therapy. And having them also makes me walk and be in nature, so they bring good things in other ways to my mental health.
Animal crossing game: Hear me out. It's a little island where I can just live and fish and grow fruit and have my little house all cute and nice. I'm a chaotic housekeeper in real life so having something that looks nice and is all in control feels good. Though I'm running out of things to do on the game so may need more suggestions.
CBT: To an extent. I've had good therapists and bad. The good ones now live rent-free in my head every day and help me to problem solve my way logically through anxiety rather than spiral.
What are yours?
(On the flip side - things that haven't helped: talking therapy, cold showers, supplements, self help books, hypnotherapy, anti anxiety apps and podcasts, talking to friends and family.)