For me, I try to literally move, like if I'm sitting in the living room, I get up and move to the bedroom for example. Even the act of redirecting my body to a new physical space can help sort of re-set. That and going for a walk or bike ride. Doing something physical helps me. I also find practicing positive mantras when things are escalating helps.

A lot of this is just doing anything to sort of see what sticks. I'm a big believer in distractions.

Thank you! I will try this and see if it helps

Hello Barista. Welcome to the forum.

The quick ways I know of to ease anxiety typically don't last for long, but sometimes that's enough to keep me on track long enough to get a job done. Most of them can be done without drawing much attention from the folks around me. They include:

~Breathing exercises. Don't be afraid to get creative and/or surf for new ones. Singing and humming qualify as a breathing exercises.
~Tapping. Whether with my fingers or toes, setting a cadence helps me focus.
~Tactile grounding or using my senses to come back to my senses. Smell, touch, sight, sound or taste.
~Mantras and positive affirmations. I like 4 syllable mantras that I can double with breathing exercises. Two syllables in, "I can. . ." two syllables out, ". . .do this."

Venting and sorting in safe places such this forum help me for the longer term fixes. Just finding those right words for ^it^ is quite a challenge, in itself.

Gentle support while you find what works for you. Welcome aboard.

thanks so much!!!!!

Nothing is going to replace professional help. There are reasons why you are anxious, and when you are ready to deal with those issues that are causing you to be anxious, then you will take steps to heal. There are no quick fixes, but working with trained professionals can give you the proper tools to help yourself .

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Breathing exercises will help you to reduce anxiety back to calming range fast naturally. This helps you to find clear head thinking. Also, moving around is 'doing' thinking which distracts and also helps to reduce the physical anxiety fast naturally. Anxiety is natural, it is a part of us, and it is our helper.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

I find doing something physical works for me, like the first person posted.