Some days my anxiety is so bad that my heart rate will be elevated for hours, like between 100bpm to 120bpm resting heart rate. I will try all the breathing and relaxation techniques I know, and even though I might feel a bit calmer, they do nothing for my rapid heart rate. I know it's not necessarily dangerous to have an elevated heart rate since I have been tested and have not been diagnosed with any heart conditions, but it makes me exhausted and can aggravate my anxiety symptoms like dizziness and sweating. I cannot take anxiety medication because I experience a paradoxical effect from many of them, so I was trying to find a way to naturally slow my heart rate down.

I was doing a google search and I found this one technique I tried that actually worked, but only temporarily. I did have to repeat it a few times. It felt uncomfortable at first, and I don't recommend doing it while driving because it can make you feel a little light headed, but it did lower my pulse by about 10-15bpm.

"When you feel overwhelmed with anxiety, take a very deep breath through your mouth and hold it in. While continuing to hold your breath, flex or tense every muscle throughout your body as intensely as you can. Feel every inch of your body tremble from the strain. Continue squeezing your muscles for 5-10 seconds, and then immediately relax every muscle as you slowly exhale through your nose."

I like this technique because it's something that I can do without being obvious or outwardly weird about trying to calm myself down so I wanted to share. Also, if anyone knows of other ways to calm a rapid heart rate I'd love to hear how because that is the most difficult anxiety symptom for me aside form nausea.