This Person Urges To Stop Doing Something Relaxing When You’re Anxious And Their Tips Might Help You Out
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the USA, with over 40 million adults affected yearly, Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports. And while anxiety disorders are relatively easy to treat, only 36,9% of those affected receive treatment. The rest most likely don’t know how to deal with it, are too afraid to seek professional help, or simply aren’t aware of the problem or the treatment. And while different methods work for different people, there are some general rules one could start with and try out to see if they help deal with anxiety. Tumblr gathered together to share some tips on what does and doesn’t work when tackling their own inner struggles. Scroll down below to read them and if you have experience with anxiety disorders, share your own tricks in the comments.
Suffering from anxiety, one person started a post discussing what does and what doesn’t work when dealing with the inner turmoil
People agreed, sharing their own tips and experiences
However, others disagreed with the tips offered
20Kviews
Share on Facebooki have a friend who worked before in a mental facility, she stated that she often see people masturbating and it really helped reduce stress for those patients...
Load More Replies...We are all different. And this is why people feel free to comment and share their experience. After reading the article, here is mine: Crosswords, sudoku, tv and reading Bored Panda.
I do crosswords too! That's actually helped a lot. I used to do drawing and sewing, but it's become such an autopilot thing that I end up thinking even more about the stuff that makes my anxiety fester...
Load More Replies...Hold up - Legolas Fanfiction is a thing???? Where has the been all my life?
Right over here: https://www.fanfiction.net/book/Lord-of-the-Rings/?&srt=4&lan=1&r=10&c1=78
Load More Replies...I think the basic idea of keeping your mind fully engaged is going to work for most people. Video games have shut off my internal "why I suck" newsreel countless times. Unfortunately, I'm now a tower defense junkie...
Seems like the people who disagreed either didn't read the whole thing or only focused on the parts they disagreed with. Which is nothing unusual on the internet...or in the society generally
One of the people who "disagreed" didn't even disagree, just told of his/her own different experience
Load More Replies...I agree with the main approach of the writer's idea, but I disagree with the drawing part. Maybe doodling scrabbles on paper won't hekp you, but a serious and decent art project actually takes a lot to focus on, even if it's just one illustration. When I draw, I actively use both hemispheres of my brain, as I might come across "problems" to solve within the picture, it's not merely about instincts - it's a combination of both instincts and logics. However, one problem with drawing and anxiety still remains: can you really get yourself to do something creative when it hits you, or are you likely to fall into the void of laziness caused by subsequential depression?
This is kind of preachy. Everyone's experience with anxiety is different. It's about finding coping mechanisms that work for you. Some people need to wind down. Some people find getting up and moving to help.
I think it depends if the anxiety comes from issues outside of yourself or if the anxiety is within you. Anxiety from without would seem to logically call for a break to give your mind a chance to get away from the cause of the anxiety. However, if you are naturally an anxious person, there isn't a way to get away from yourself. I play Candy Crush, but some people get more physically anxious playing video games. I also listen to old sitcoms on TV when I go to bed. I don't want anything interesting to keep me up, but I want something that will hold my attention enough to keep out the worries. Masturbation would probably work, even for a while after, due to the release of seratonin. Doing something useful also helps me. I feel more in control during & after cleaning, organizing, etc., and if nothing else, at least if I'm still anxious, I have a clean house, one less thing to worry about. When it hits all of a sudden, I go up & down the stairs until my adrenaline settles down.
Load More Replies...When I feel anxious within me, although I look fine, I either play my keyboard (I can’t really run “GET THE RIGHT NOTES FOR THE DAMN IMPERIAL MARCH” and “Things that bother me” at the same time), bring up a script cos it really stops me bothering about how much I suck by making the bad characters suck at good behaviour to make me laugh, jump into Theme Park Tycoon 2 on ROBLOX (I concentrate on building my park), play on my Wii or something, write fake 999 logs on notepad or write passive-aggressive notes between fictional characters. My fav character pairings are Maya and Natalia, Kylo and Lucas, Maya and Aisha and Vince and Debbie.
If I can’t get any of those due to my distance from stuff, I think up passive-aggressive office notes for the Imagination Land Office. My mind runs free, it either runs into thorns or rainbows.
Load More Replies...I agree with the people saying everyone deals with anxiety differently. It's also very strange to me to suggest that drawing occupies the hands and not the mind. If you want to draw more than scribbles, it actually requires you to concentrate on what you're doind?
This is why there is that seemingly dumb saying (but which has a real current of truth): 'You do you.' I find jogging helps when I'm feeling anxious, TV would probably make me feel worse, but we all gotta do ourselves. I guess that could have a double meaning if it helps with your anxiety to masturbate.
That's actually so true and it's the reason that I'm taking gym class next year in school even though it's optional. I find that playing sports helps take my mind off stressful tests and worries of school
I'll have to aggree with that guy. I've tried walking and exercising and while it may be healthy it also frees up my mind to dwell on all past failures and shortcomings. Reading a good book or listening to music or even gaming helps me more because it keeps my mind occupied.
I disagree with the "DO NOTS." When I am anxious, I do like to relax, and it helps very much. Drawing is a wonderful thing for me so I can get all of my negative thoughts and emotions out, sunsets are very calming to me, and ect. I know that she added at the end that the "DO NOTS" were just in her opinion, but it's just like she added that as an afterthought. Honestly, when you are anxious do whatever helps. You'll figure it out.
Totally. I like to do counted cross stitch and lose myself in a book to name two. Whatever takes a little concentration.
Load More Replies...I'm not affected by anxiety, god bless, I never was. But everytime I feel like losing it, I create a story in my mind. It's kind of a silly game really. I start with a "what of" question and step by step a whole world builts itself in my mind. I've done this all my life but especially when I'm feeling down. I've started (and completed) two stories already but never published them other than on Wattpad. And yes, it helps me. It started when I was little. I was so scared of the dark at night I couldn't fall asleep and when I did, I had horrible nightmares. My first story dates from when I was six. I keep track of my story ideas. I have currently 36 in my head (completed ones) with all the characters and the plot and another 27 small ideas. I don't know what I would be if ot wasn't for my stories.
"A dumb legolas fanfiction" OML MY FRIEND HAD ANXIETY AND LOVES LEGOLAS SHE NEEDS TO SEE THISSS
I like to watch educational programs. That helps. I'm sucked in and forget the reason I was freaking out.
i deep clean the bathroom when im stressed and/or anxious. i get a lot of it done when im powered by internal screaming. unfortunately, it does not turn it off, but seeing the progress afterwards makes me feel like "oh hey i did a lot this is nice i did a great job maybe im not useless garbage after all". it also helps in that i can solve a physical problem and be able to see the outcome when i cant fix something that isn't tangible like that.
This summer I tried some gardening and it has helped very much with my depression and anxiety. Sadly now the winter is coming and winters are very cold and dark where I live so I can't do gardening outdoors. So time will tell does the indoor gardening help me enough. I am waiting for the next spring - I have plenty of ideas what plants I want to try growing. :)
Everyone needs to find out how to cope best. For me it IS doing something that gets me into a flow (playing an instrument, running, drawing) because it stops my ratracing brain. If anxiety is bad I am pretty unable to focus on sudoku..feels like I am blocked& need relaxation to step out of it. The best way is to try what will help YOU. There is no right/wrong, just different people.
I agree with this. When I am anxious (which is most of the time) I put headphones on and have full blown concerts in my room. I dance, sing, jump and mosh by myself. My anxiety can be physically painful, and all the jumping helps me get rid o most of the nervous energy
Completely dislike these kind of posts where people try to give others advice by forcing their own opinion and experience upon others. Maybe the writer meant well, but it comes off as close-minded and like there's just one way. Starting with how this is written, by using the terms "should". Surprise! People are different! While some cope better with this by keeping theirself busy and others by doing "relaxing activities" oh and also, some people find some of those activities actually relaxing. So yeah. There's that. Great to give advice, but do be careful not to force your advice on people. Thanks.
I can relate. I decorate very detailed cookies for events and such (I'm a perfectionist about it but I love honing my craft) and it takes concentrating and planning, but it can be so helpful after a stressful day at work or when struggling with other anxieties in my life. Also video/computer games totally :D Though on the other side of that, just in general (not specifically when super anxious) I do really need quiet time to sit, watch, and process/think. So it's situational for me.
Whereas I couldn't tell you if this is good advice or not, my question would be, who is this person and why do they feel qualified to give mental health advice? Do they have training or are they just giving advice that they think works for them? If it's the latter, they would be better off wording it as opinion and something to try rather than a strict set of rules. In my opinion, this person's advice merely deals with the symptoms and not the actual problem.
So this guys way of dealing with anxiety helps him how?!?. Something that creates high cortezoll levels in your body to increase and replace it with something rose that does the same isn't a long term sustainable form of controling your anxiety. This is the same as somone suffering from anxiety resorting to using cocaine. Replacing the anxiety with another does not work in your favour. You're not teaching your CNS to readapt how you perceive anxiety if you do it this way. This post is irresponsible and misleading. "If you're feeling anxiety...don't calm yourself down...instead go get chased by a lion....and create more traumas that will create further anxieties." You see where i am getting at here?!?!. Also that quote is to present in short form the incompetence and understanding of basic humanity.
Interesting...personally I can do pretty much any of these things (except the super weird ones, and math) and that'll help me :) Everyone is different though.
I'd say I'm in the middle here. Everyone's anxiety works differently, though, and some stuff like drawing/taking a walk might actually help some people, but for people that it doesn't work with, this can come in handy.
Im learning to just ignore my anxiety cause one, i am anxious like almost all the time, two, nothing I've found works yet, three i don't want to take anxiety meds cause upset my stomach
You can't just ignore it. I ignored it for a long time until it eventually built up enough that it exploded out of me. If you are anxious all the time, you need to see a doctor. Go to a specialist and tell them how you feel. And don't be scared of medication. I didn't want to have medication because it made me sick but I had to. I lowered the dose enough that it was effective but not hurting me and found a specific medicine that tailored to my needs. You just need to see the right people and believe me, I know exactly how you feel. You're not alone.
Load More Replies...i have a friend who worked before in a mental facility, she stated that she often see people masturbating and it really helped reduce stress for those patients...
Load More Replies...We are all different. And this is why people feel free to comment and share their experience. After reading the article, here is mine: Crosswords, sudoku, tv and reading Bored Panda.
I do crosswords too! That's actually helped a lot. I used to do drawing and sewing, but it's become such an autopilot thing that I end up thinking even more about the stuff that makes my anxiety fester...
Load More Replies...Hold up - Legolas Fanfiction is a thing???? Where has the been all my life?
Right over here: https://www.fanfiction.net/book/Lord-of-the-Rings/?&srt=4&lan=1&r=10&c1=78
Load More Replies...I think the basic idea of keeping your mind fully engaged is going to work for most people. Video games have shut off my internal "why I suck" newsreel countless times. Unfortunately, I'm now a tower defense junkie...
Seems like the people who disagreed either didn't read the whole thing or only focused on the parts they disagreed with. Which is nothing unusual on the internet...or in the society generally
One of the people who "disagreed" didn't even disagree, just told of his/her own different experience
Load More Replies...I agree with the main approach of the writer's idea, but I disagree with the drawing part. Maybe doodling scrabbles on paper won't hekp you, but a serious and decent art project actually takes a lot to focus on, even if it's just one illustration. When I draw, I actively use both hemispheres of my brain, as I might come across "problems" to solve within the picture, it's not merely about instincts - it's a combination of both instincts and logics. However, one problem with drawing and anxiety still remains: can you really get yourself to do something creative when it hits you, or are you likely to fall into the void of laziness caused by subsequential depression?
This is kind of preachy. Everyone's experience with anxiety is different. It's about finding coping mechanisms that work for you. Some people need to wind down. Some people find getting up and moving to help.
I think it depends if the anxiety comes from issues outside of yourself or if the anxiety is within you. Anxiety from without would seem to logically call for a break to give your mind a chance to get away from the cause of the anxiety. However, if you are naturally an anxious person, there isn't a way to get away from yourself. I play Candy Crush, but some people get more physically anxious playing video games. I also listen to old sitcoms on TV when I go to bed. I don't want anything interesting to keep me up, but I want something that will hold my attention enough to keep out the worries. Masturbation would probably work, even for a while after, due to the release of seratonin. Doing something useful also helps me. I feel more in control during & after cleaning, organizing, etc., and if nothing else, at least if I'm still anxious, I have a clean house, one less thing to worry about. When it hits all of a sudden, I go up & down the stairs until my adrenaline settles down.
Load More Replies...When I feel anxious within me, although I look fine, I either play my keyboard (I can’t really run “GET THE RIGHT NOTES FOR THE DAMN IMPERIAL MARCH” and “Things that bother me” at the same time), bring up a script cos it really stops me bothering about how much I suck by making the bad characters suck at good behaviour to make me laugh, jump into Theme Park Tycoon 2 on ROBLOX (I concentrate on building my park), play on my Wii or something, write fake 999 logs on notepad or write passive-aggressive notes between fictional characters. My fav character pairings are Maya and Natalia, Kylo and Lucas, Maya and Aisha and Vince and Debbie.
If I can’t get any of those due to my distance from stuff, I think up passive-aggressive office notes for the Imagination Land Office. My mind runs free, it either runs into thorns or rainbows.
Load More Replies...I agree with the people saying everyone deals with anxiety differently. It's also very strange to me to suggest that drawing occupies the hands and not the mind. If you want to draw more than scribbles, it actually requires you to concentrate on what you're doind?
This is why there is that seemingly dumb saying (but which has a real current of truth): 'You do you.' I find jogging helps when I'm feeling anxious, TV would probably make me feel worse, but we all gotta do ourselves. I guess that could have a double meaning if it helps with your anxiety to masturbate.
That's actually so true and it's the reason that I'm taking gym class next year in school even though it's optional. I find that playing sports helps take my mind off stressful tests and worries of school
I'll have to aggree with that guy. I've tried walking and exercising and while it may be healthy it also frees up my mind to dwell on all past failures and shortcomings. Reading a good book or listening to music or even gaming helps me more because it keeps my mind occupied.
I disagree with the "DO NOTS." When I am anxious, I do like to relax, and it helps very much. Drawing is a wonderful thing for me so I can get all of my negative thoughts and emotions out, sunsets are very calming to me, and ect. I know that she added at the end that the "DO NOTS" were just in her opinion, but it's just like she added that as an afterthought. Honestly, when you are anxious do whatever helps. You'll figure it out.
Totally. I like to do counted cross stitch and lose myself in a book to name two. Whatever takes a little concentration.
Load More Replies...I'm not affected by anxiety, god bless, I never was. But everytime I feel like losing it, I create a story in my mind. It's kind of a silly game really. I start with a "what of" question and step by step a whole world builts itself in my mind. I've done this all my life but especially when I'm feeling down. I've started (and completed) two stories already but never published them other than on Wattpad. And yes, it helps me. It started when I was little. I was so scared of the dark at night I couldn't fall asleep and when I did, I had horrible nightmares. My first story dates from when I was six. I keep track of my story ideas. I have currently 36 in my head (completed ones) with all the characters and the plot and another 27 small ideas. I don't know what I would be if ot wasn't for my stories.
"A dumb legolas fanfiction" OML MY FRIEND HAD ANXIETY AND LOVES LEGOLAS SHE NEEDS TO SEE THISSS
I like to watch educational programs. That helps. I'm sucked in and forget the reason I was freaking out.
i deep clean the bathroom when im stressed and/or anxious. i get a lot of it done when im powered by internal screaming. unfortunately, it does not turn it off, but seeing the progress afterwards makes me feel like "oh hey i did a lot this is nice i did a great job maybe im not useless garbage after all". it also helps in that i can solve a physical problem and be able to see the outcome when i cant fix something that isn't tangible like that.
This summer I tried some gardening and it has helped very much with my depression and anxiety. Sadly now the winter is coming and winters are very cold and dark where I live so I can't do gardening outdoors. So time will tell does the indoor gardening help me enough. I am waiting for the next spring - I have plenty of ideas what plants I want to try growing. :)
Everyone needs to find out how to cope best. For me it IS doing something that gets me into a flow (playing an instrument, running, drawing) because it stops my ratracing brain. If anxiety is bad I am pretty unable to focus on sudoku..feels like I am blocked& need relaxation to step out of it. The best way is to try what will help YOU. There is no right/wrong, just different people.
I agree with this. When I am anxious (which is most of the time) I put headphones on and have full blown concerts in my room. I dance, sing, jump and mosh by myself. My anxiety can be physically painful, and all the jumping helps me get rid o most of the nervous energy
Completely dislike these kind of posts where people try to give others advice by forcing their own opinion and experience upon others. Maybe the writer meant well, but it comes off as close-minded and like there's just one way. Starting with how this is written, by using the terms "should". Surprise! People are different! While some cope better with this by keeping theirself busy and others by doing "relaxing activities" oh and also, some people find some of those activities actually relaxing. So yeah. There's that. Great to give advice, but do be careful not to force your advice on people. Thanks.
I can relate. I decorate very detailed cookies for events and such (I'm a perfectionist about it but I love honing my craft) and it takes concentrating and planning, but it can be so helpful after a stressful day at work or when struggling with other anxieties in my life. Also video/computer games totally :D Though on the other side of that, just in general (not specifically when super anxious) I do really need quiet time to sit, watch, and process/think. So it's situational for me.
Whereas I couldn't tell you if this is good advice or not, my question would be, who is this person and why do they feel qualified to give mental health advice? Do they have training or are they just giving advice that they think works for them? If it's the latter, they would be better off wording it as opinion and something to try rather than a strict set of rules. In my opinion, this person's advice merely deals with the symptoms and not the actual problem.
So this guys way of dealing with anxiety helps him how?!?. Something that creates high cortezoll levels in your body to increase and replace it with something rose that does the same isn't a long term sustainable form of controling your anxiety. This is the same as somone suffering from anxiety resorting to using cocaine. Replacing the anxiety with another does not work in your favour. You're not teaching your CNS to readapt how you perceive anxiety if you do it this way. This post is irresponsible and misleading. "If you're feeling anxiety...don't calm yourself down...instead go get chased by a lion....and create more traumas that will create further anxieties." You see where i am getting at here?!?!. Also that quote is to present in short form the incompetence and understanding of basic humanity.
Interesting...personally I can do pretty much any of these things (except the super weird ones, and math) and that'll help me :) Everyone is different though.
I'd say I'm in the middle here. Everyone's anxiety works differently, though, and some stuff like drawing/taking a walk might actually help some people, but for people that it doesn't work with, this can come in handy.
Im learning to just ignore my anxiety cause one, i am anxious like almost all the time, two, nothing I've found works yet, three i don't want to take anxiety meds cause upset my stomach
You can't just ignore it. I ignored it for a long time until it eventually built up enough that it exploded out of me. If you are anxious all the time, you need to see a doctor. Go to a specialist and tell them how you feel. And don't be scared of medication. I didn't want to have medication because it made me sick but I had to. I lowered the dose enough that it was effective but not hurting me and found a specific medicine that tailored to my needs. You just need to see the right people and believe me, I know exactly how you feel. You're not alone.
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