Health Anxiety - successful distractions?

[FastLove]

I'm trying to drag myself out of a particularly horrible and prolonged bout of health anxiety with the help of GP and meds.

Now that I'm seeing the first signs of being able to think more positively I'd like to know if anyone else has had success with trying to distract themselves from their anxiety? I'm sick of getting dragged down into googling things or constantly overthinking symptoms and sensations and checking myself. I'm so tired of it.

When I'm feeling a lot better i like a bit of meditation but at the moment that just provides space for dwelling on things and becoming too aware of every single physical sensations which needs to stop! I need some mindlessness instead of mindfulness!

Gin and vodka are good for mindlessness..... but they only work for a short time and if you are anything like me, you wake up about four in the morning and then start to dwell on eveything ...

I find that recognising when I am having an episode helps. The problem being that I don't recognise them as they develop... and it is very difficult to step outside yourelf and look at yourself. But once I do recognise what is happening, I find life gets a lot easier. ...

I know what you mean about mindfulness because it's the last thing that works for me. I find exercise helps, even going for a walk and noticing what's around you and listening to music and try to replicate the drum beat with your hands. May sound silly but I love drumming and it makes you concentrate. Not sure if you work but I have a job in a nursing home and it is really busy and you are focusing on other people and their very real problems therefore taking the focus off yourself.
As tough as it is, try to take the focus off yourself and onto a thing you love or people you love, try to be outward looking.

Thank you for your replies :-) It's hard to look outside yourself sometimes isn't it?
I'm currently just starting to realise that alcohol's help is only very temporary and then leaves you feeling worse!
Being outside is definitely the best help and walking about rather than focusing on every thought/sensation. It's the hours in the house and lying in bed that don't help - too many of those at this time of year!
Unfortunately my job requires me to be very quiet and solitary too which is that last thing I need. Especially with Dr Google too easily at hand!