Use lots of tools: breathing, rocking, challenging self talk (RBT), a focused physical activity, my cats. Whatever works at the time. Hugs.

1. Meditation--that's the slow, deep breathing vehicle for me.
2. Playing guitar. I have 2 acoustic guitars for that purpose. Guitars do it for me. I follow that up by going to live shows
3. Stand up comedy shows on Netflix. I follow them up by going to see stand up comedians live, too.

All that plus online Scrabble. It seems to engage the right parts of my brain to slow the endless cycle of self torment.

I've tried a few different things, but the most effective thing for me to do when I'm in a serious episode is to talk to people. In particular, calling someone and talking to them both about what's going on and about other things really helps me, at least in the moment. I also post on DailyStrength or if it's really really really unbearable and cannot get a hold of someone I MIGHT contact a hotline, the texting one or the chat one for less urgent situations. I also write or draw but really neither of those things is particular helpful if I'm in a very bad situation emotionally. Watching youtube or netflix is good when I'm in a downward spiral; it helps me get through it. But ultimately the BEST thing for me is talking it out.

Breathing exercises are my front-line tool, whatever the variables attached.

Once I am confident my breathing is back to normal, the next tool I use depends those variables attached. Work stress needs different tools than domestic stress and those are only two flavors of stress in my world.

That true rocking work breathing in and out ,and praying all ways work with the grace of our heavenly father.

CBD oil, meditation, deep breathing and avoiding. Been trying to write out 5 options during a trigger then seeing which one will be easiest on myself to do...the task of writing them soothes me without even knowing its happening. Kinda cool.

1) Deep breathing 2) Listening to music- I have a specific playlist that I picked out. Starts a bit heavy ends with positive songs. 3) Journaling. Didn’t work at first but I am learning to let my emotions flow with the writing and it seems to help.