During my most severe period of anxiety, I would often imagine myself directing a war theatre as a general in an impassioned and era-defining conflict whenever I was around a crowd of people. People would often remark that I looked aloof and absent minded, when I was really embroiled in deep day-dreams such as those.
How do you cope with yours?
Over the years I've developed healthier coping habits like taking a bird's eye of things and generally putting everything into perspective, this lead to the realisation that no matter the external influences that I cannot control, I do control my attitude and that it's more practical to apply a positive one
Guided meditation techniques breathing exercises grounding, sometimes watch ASMR or certain things that make me v hAppy but seriously very low key
sometimes playing music helps or laughing can, and also my dogs. They basically are my therapy dogs.
cuddling on them and petting or cleaning their fur is very grounding and good when I am having a panic attack or feel sad
Depends on the kind of anxiety. With social stuff if I'm feeling nervous, I'll usually just say something like "damn, I'm worked up today." That usually breaks the ice and lets the other people know where I'm coming from, instead of making things more awkward.
If I'm avoiding a situation like having to make phone calls, I try to give myself 30 minutes to relax. But I commit to getting whatever needs done after that time.
Having a panic attack is a pretty different ballgame, because you feel like you're going to die or go insane during that. If it can be helped before it gets bad, I'll try to remember I've had them before and that I need not let my thoughts race. If it's too late, I just check the time and figure "all you have to do is not die for 10 minutes and you'll be fine."
More on point, the anxiety tends to be most of the momentum. Without it I'd likely get less done rather than more, while when it passes a certain threshold it kinda shuts up and I'm just doing things.
