Any anxiety-reducing methods not mentioned in the book?

[Howlan]

Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> Howlan wrote:
> > Joseph_ngaruiya wrote:
> > > Have you tried Origami? It's so involving and attention-seeking that you'll
> > > instantly forget what was bothering you. My favorite creation is a duck.
> >
> > Yeah, origami or any hobby really which you enjoy doing, sketching for another
> helps
> > ease your negative thoughts.
>
> Learning a new skill or facing your fears is also worth trying. An example is
> studying a new culture or going for bungee jumping to eliminate height phobia.

Sure exposing yourself to fear is a good way to reduce it but it should be done gradually from small heights to higher places. Exposure to bungee jumping should be the last stage to cure acrophobia.

[Ari Martinez]

Dominik_G wrote:
> I find that being close to animals, especially taking care of them (feeding
> them, etc.) has a huge impact on anxiety. I also find writing useful:
> writing in a very free and raw way, basically just putting what's going on
> in my mind on paper.

Aren't there hospitals that bring in dogs specially to help calm the patients? I believe there are also people with anxiety that use therapy dogs, so being close to animals has already been proven to help with stress and anxiety. I have personally seen the benefits of having animals around in my life.
As for writing, I actually find that it stresses me out more lol, but to each their own.

[Joseph WK]

I know some might scoff at this but I find prayer to be very helpful whenever I get anxious. It is not a medical process but it calms my nerves.

[Joseph WK]

AntonelaMaria wrote:
> Grounding onself in your surroundings with three steps;
> -touch
> -see
> -hear
> Find three things around you and describe them.
> I found that very helpful.
>
> Yawn. It is very effective way of calming!!
>
> There is also progressive muscle relaxations when you tense and relax your
> muscles.
>
> I liked the part of breathing it is described really well. I also would
> just add. Lying on the floor putting hand on stomach and just slowly
> breathing. You can also count to five breaths. Nothing higher because your
> brain will wonder off.
>
> There are some emotional coping skills that I think will not help only with
> anxiety but to stay metaly healthy;
> -jornaling
> -making a grateful list
> -pray
> -having a playlist of music
> -taking about our emotions
> -allow yourself to cry
> -write a song

I also count very slowly up to 10. Any higher than that my mind wonders too and the anxiety returns again

[ArriettyClock]

I've found painting mandalas and dot pictures is similar - you don't have to be any good, it's just a repetitive task to do while you calm.

[ashleexry]

There are other ways of reducing anxiety, like doing the things you love. This can be different for different people, like cooking or drawing or coloring. One way to reduce stress and anxiety that I think is very helpful is coloring. It's a mind-numbing activity and you can do it very easily since there are a lot of different coloring apps available these days. All you're thinking about when coloring is the type of shade to use and the gradient pattern to utilize. It's very relaxing.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

ArriettyClock wrote:
> I've found painting mandalas and dot pictures is similar - you don't have
> to be any good, it's just a repetitive task to do while you calm.


I haven't tried this. It seems simple and interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[Kola+wole]

Guda LM wrote:
> Every person is unique and different things and methods appeal to different
> people. I think it's best to find what makes you happy and what suits you
> and use it for relief. Personally, nature is my therapy. The more secluded,
> the better.

Nature is one of the best stress reliever. The beauty of nature is like a balm tithe troubled soul.

[Howlan]

ArriettyClock wrote:
> I've found painting mandalas and dot pictures is similar - you don't have
> to be any good, it's just a repetitive task to do while you calm.

Yes, personally sketching accompanied music helps me have a great piece of mind after a really long day. It feels refreshing and helps me calm down.

[Howlan]

Arimart99 wrote:
> Dominik_G wrote:
> > I find that being close to animals, especially taking care of them (feeding
> > them, etc.) has a huge impact on anxiety. I also find writing useful:
> > writing in a very free and raw way, basically just putting what's going on
> > in my mind on paper.
>
> Aren't there hospitals that bring in dogs specially to help calm the patients? I
> believe there are also people with anxiety that use therapy dogs, so being close to
> animals has already been proven to help with stress and anxiety. I have personally
> seen the benefits of having animals around in my life.
> As for writing, I actually find that it stresses me out more lol, but to each their
> own.

Animal therapies are particularly useful in providing companionship and decreasing loneliness. It really works wonders. Creating social interactions is a calm and soothing way of improving mood and general well being.

[Howlan]

Joseph WK wrote:
> I know some might scoff at this but I find prayer to be very helpful
> whenever I get anxious. It is not a medical process but it calms my nerves.

Yes, that's true I find that prayer is actually a form of meditaion. It helps you concentrate while your mind is fixed upon something and it does not wander off.

[Joseph_ngaruiya]

Howlan wrote:
> Arimart99 wrote:
> > Dominik_G wrote:
> > > I find that being close to animals, especially taking care of them (feeding
> > > them, etc.) has a huge impact on anxiety. I also find writing useful:
> > > writing in a very free and raw way, basically just putting what's going on
> > > in my mind on paper.
> >
> > Aren't there hospitals that bring in dogs specially to help calm the patients? I
> > believe there are also people with anxiety that use therapy dogs, so being close
> to
> > animals has already been proven to help with stress and anxiety. I have
> personally
> > seen the benefits of having animals around in my life.
> > As for writing, I actually find that it stresses me out more lol, but to each
> their
> > own.
>
> Animal therapies are particularly useful in providing companionship and decreasing
> loneliness. It really works wonders. Creating social interactions is a calm and
> soothing way of improving mood and general well being.

The same way it relieves stress for humans, animal interaction, and activities also help the pet to connect more with their owners. I've seen friends who've used such moments to teach their pet new tricks. It's a win-win situation for both parties.

[mpsmaster]

Reading a good book can make miracles! listening to a good song is also great.

Take a cold shower is a method very common in the past to deal with depression a many emotional conditions. If you take a cold shower you will change in some way!

Do something good to someone else is a beautiful way to feel relaxed and better.

And the harmful ways: eat what you like, but you usually avoid, and shopping ha ha ha!

[Samantha Gayle]

I agree that animal therapy can be very effective for certain people. Everyone responds to coping skills differently and with different levels of success. I find guided journaling and sketching to be powerful tools as well. They work better for myself than animal therapy. Whereas my mother has an emotional support dog for her panic disorders and couldn’t do without. We are all unique, and I think the book did give a wonderful range of techniques.

[djr6090]

Joining a Twelve Step program can reveal that others share your anxieties. Practicing their methods can help a lot.