To ask what you do to distract yourself when worrying about something

[upsidedownworld]

I've got an interview coming up in a few days and keep getting extremely anxious about it, especially in the middle of the night. Realistically I know I have done all I can to prepare etc, but just can't stop worrying when I've started. I often read great advice here and was hoping for some wisdom that might help me get through the next few days!

I listen to Encore radio

Play Hay Day

Edit- not promoting, I'm just a musical theatre nut

I try and absorb myself in something else that take all my brain power like drawing or writing

I set myself a time limit, ie: "ok, you can worry about this for the next ten minutes/until the bus arrives/all the time you're doing the washing up, but then you have to think about something else".

Just telling myself to stop worrying isn't as effective, but giving myself designated 'worry time' helps contain it.

I give myself a time slot in the future to worry about it. So if a wake up at night, I'll reassure myself that for half an hour the next morning I'll let myself worry. It puts my mind at rest. Then when the time comes stop everything else and just sit with the worry. Write it down if you want. Then after, if i find myself worrying a repeat 'you have already thought this through. No need to do it again'.

In bed - listen to an audio book. During the day - choose a topic (animals, colours, cakes etc) and go though the alphabet for each letter. The time limit, previously mentioned, is also a good one.

When I wake up worrying, or can't get to sleep for it, I try to recite all the Strictly contestants.

Not sure where that started, and I'm not even a big Strictly fan, but I usually find it distracting enough and nod off whilst trying to remember the name of some random soap actor.

Cross post with send
Clearly it is good advice!

Sometimes I let it flow until I have worried about something so much I can't worry about it any more.

Zumba.
Play the piano.
Manic decluttering.

Lido's abc one works well

Masturbation

Loiter on Mumsnet??!!

Eat. It's not the most productive way to deal with anxiety or worry though.

It is good advice wings and send. Bertrand Russell also suggested it as well, so you're in good company.

I eat also, wouldn't necessarily recommend. Depending on the thing I'm worried about, and when I should be dealing with it, I've become quite good at burying my head in the sand until last minute...

During the night - audiobooks, podcasts of radio 4 programmes.

During the day - it's a cliche but I keep busy. I make myself a list every day of jobs to do and work my way through it. I find it really helps.

@Balaboosteh - yes. Hands down (yer pants) better than anything else. The only advice you need. End of thread.

Go for a walk
Play sport (hard to worry about something when you are playing a team sport)

At night I listen to an audiobook if I can't sleep or tell my worry dolls the problem! That has worked for me since childhood!