I started walking an hour each day after I read a post on here and it really helps a lot with my anxiety. It really takes the edge off. Maybe that can help you.

I agree - exercise is really helpful! If you can - get outside and walk - exercise plus sunshine and it's vitamin D = terrific! but if you can't bring yourself to go outside and walk - at least start doing something cardio related in the house each day.

Another tip, because crowded stores - especially the lines - can be a trigger for me too. I try to go do my grocery shopping early in the morning before others get out and about or late at night. I shop at Super Walmart or Super Target, so they are open 24 hours. It is much more relaxing to shop when there are only a couple of other people in the store and no lines. If you have to go during busy times, just try to focus on one thing at a time - I have a list and I just focus on getting each item and ignore those around me. You can even wear earbuds and listen to calming music while going through the store if it helps.

Grocery stores are not busy late at night either. Between 4 to 7 is their busiest time and weekends are busy during the day.

Thanks everyone for your replies and help. I made it to the store but because it took me so long it was crowded and then I forgot my glasses and couldn't see anything I had to read. I did it though and I did do a walk on the treadmill today after I got back and it helped settle me down some. I think the tea helped a little bit before I went too! I am just glad I actually did it. So many times i end up not going when we need things. I think I will start planning midnight trips because they do have superwalmart and winco here open 24 hours. I did winco once though and thats when they do stocking so the employees were in every isle and in the way mega! It wasn't such a great experience that time either. Maybe I should try around 4 or 5am?

I usually find about 8:30am is a good time to go - there's usually very few people in at that time, and they're not stocking shelves then either. It requires a bit of planning - get up in time to have a warm shower and get ready, have a cup of chamomile tea, walk through the store in my head so I know the route I want to take, make sure I have my list and my glasses in my bag. I usually walk to the store, which is settling too. I find if I can make things routine, then they're less likely to be anxiety triggers after a while.

So glad to hear that you made it to the store! Remember to be proud that you DID IT! Even if there was some hesitation at first, always remember to congratulate yourself on every victory - no matter how little it may seem.

thanks ZeneM I think I will try it your way nex time! I think that is a good time!

Hope you are the Xanax very slowly. The withdrawls are worse than coming off antdepressants if you do it too quickly. Plus the rebound anxiety would be terrible. Ever thouht about trying Buspar ? Its an anxiety medicine that you take 2 or 3 times a day every day and is not addictive. Some people get no results from it but others say it changes
their life..has very mild side effects, so there's no risk in trying it.