Hey Pandas, What Self-Care Activities Do You Practice To Combat Anxiety And/Or Depression?

In order to combat my PTSD, depression, and anxiety, I create. I have done this for many years. Some days I cook, draw, or paint pour. On other days, it is DIY projects, writing, or stencil art. Then, there are days when none of that helps.

New creative ideas and techniques are always fun to try. So, if you have any paint pour techniques, how-to pointers on poetry, advice on self-publishing, etc., please share!!!

(A professional should always be consulted. I am referring to self-care. Whether it is in addition to, or in place of, professional help is your personal business. However, I encourage anyone in need to reach out to a professional, family member, or friend.)

This post may include affiliate links.

The 5,4,3,2,1 technique. It’s easy to remember and use when a panic attack comes. Name:
5 things you can see,
4 things you can touch and feel,
3 things you can hear,
2 things you can smell,
1 thing you can taste.

Describe each to yourself as you’re naming it. For example, “I can feel the rough and scratchy carpet beneath my feet”.

Report

Final score:

4points

DDmaybeandor

POST

Vanessa Emerson 2 years ago

My anxiety attacks are physically debilitating. I have the ones where your heart races, the ones where you're nauseous, the "What if..." breakdowns, and then there's the "kick your a**" attacks that charlie-horse my whole body. I am willing to try anything that may help! So, thank you for this.

5points

yeeyee 2 years ago

I absolutely feel for you..... I had my first one in 2017. My fingers and hands cramped and I couldn't move them, My legs the same. I didn't understand what was going on so I called the ambulance.... the scariest one was when I was driving a 90 model peterbilt with a manual transmission. I was actually talking to a friend of mine when all of a sudden my heart raced like nothing before, my hands and arms locked up and I could barely move any of my legs. I was on a highway two lanes, I don't know how I did but I stopped and jumped out the passenger side and just walked in circles... my buddy had no idea how to handle but I give him props he did good.

2points

Load More Replies...

Anonymousplease 2 years ago

I do this all the time, it really helps

2points

Mrs. Jan Glass 2 years ago

I use this, too, and it helps counter the spiral. Go slowly. Maybe even more than once. But it can really help.

2points

View more comments

I give them names.

The depression is Fido. That’s because Churchill used to call his depression "the black dog", so I call mine Fido. When Fido attacks from hind and bites me in the bum, I say something like "f*** off you flea-ridden piece of s**t."

The anxiety is called Angustias, which is a very old fashioned, Spanish name meaning just that, anxieties. If there’s no-one around I flip the birdie at Angustias.

It helps.

Report

Final score:

3points

Jackie Warner

POST

I doodle. It doesn't have to be anything good or grand. Just doodle and listen to music.

Report

Final score:

3points

Mama Penguin

POST

Listen to music, sing and go for a walk, read Archie Comics, watch stand up comedy or anything wholesome.

Report

Final score:

3points

BadCat

POST

I find that blowing bubbles helps with my anxiety, because it helps me focus on breathing (taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly) and I also find it relaxing to just watch the bubbles float around :)

Report

Final score:

2points

LoneWolf

POST

I safeguard my alone time which is much needed to recharge. I’ve learned that “doing nothing” is a legitimate plan and I have no obligation to be social to appease someone else. Knock on my door unexpectedly? No, I’m sorry you can’t come in. I’ll call or text you when I’m ready for company. Text me randomly and want me to go out right now? Sorry, I have plans to sit on my couch with my dogs, we’ll make future plans another time. I have learned I must be unapologetic about doing what I need to protect my mental health.

Report

Final score:

2points

Just Another Girl

POST

When I get anxiety or depressed I go and find my cat. She has helped me a lot in the past 2 years. She came in as a foster kitten and I adopted her because I wanted a cat from my first fosterlitter. Every night she laid by my side and when I got an anxiety attack she came and laid on top of me. Purring and asking for cuddles. Now I have a lot less anxiety attacks. I'm in trauma therapy but I really think she helped me to reduce them. There was even a period where I couldn't sleep without her by my side. I like to think that it's her way of saying thank you for adopting me.

Report

Final score:

2points

Gabrielle Daylano

POST

say something you know is true and then something you want to believe is true
Ex:
"my phone case is pink, I can get through this"
"my shirt has a skull on it, I don't have to be perfect to be good enough"
"It is 12.00, I am safe"

I usually use colors of things but you can de anything true

Report

Final score:

1point

Anonymousplease

POST

I'm drawing my fears, my feelings, and my depression ( how it appears in my imagination). I write every words hurting me. And then, rip it appart. I'm listening some music, and try to comfort myself. " Breath in, breath out girl. You can do it. You're enough. And you have the right to cry if you need it".
At night, looking at the moon and stars help me a lot.

Fighting!

Report

Final score:

1point

Eline

POST

#10

Diagnosis: Learned behavior OCD with severe Stuck Song Syndrome. General anxiety and mild panic disorder.

- I am med compliant, I see my regular doc every few months to make sure my meds are working.

- I do about 30 mins of yoga a day, I'm really bad at it and hate it but I know it's helping.

- I find ways to reduce my triggers: purchased a countertop dishwasher so I wouldn't obsess over the process of handwashing dishes. I purchased a toll tag so I wouldn't have a panic attack in traffic.

- I talk openly about my mental health with friends and family to reduce social stigma.

- I cross stitch at night to avoid staring at my phone, doom scrolling and pulling out my eyebrows.

Report

Final score:

1point

Aubrey Mortensen

POST

#11

Practice complete silence and walk the trails

Report

Final score:

0points

JustinTime

POST

#12

When my anxiety medications and my medical marijuana are not strong enough to help if I can I try to lay down and concentrate on taking deep breaths. I tell myself over and over you're okay, you've been through worse and you can do this. Sometimes this works and sometimes I need a good distraction something funny that's going to make me laugh and forget about how anxious I'm feeling. Some anxiety is just tenacious and stays with you no matter what but experiment and find what works best for you.

Report

Final score:

0points

Who Panda 420

POST

#13

I color fuzzy posters and I make posters using stickers. I also watch YouTube videos and watch horror movies.

Report

Final score:

0points

deanna woods

POST

#14

Okay so I try to think happy thoughts I try to use my mind to chase away the bad ones. Sometimes it don't work. If it don't I go outside, especially outside by the woods or somewhere where you can be alone an no one will stair at you. Take a deep breath. Look up at the sky. Think how beautiful the sky is.
I watch movie or show that makes me happy or do something that makes me feel good.
I sometimes sleep I know this may not be a good one but it dose help regenerate things in my head and body.
Think about times that made me laugh.

Report

Final score:

0points