These are some things I do to lower my anxiety level when I'm feeling especially anxious. Not everything is universal so what works well for me might not help you as much. The whole idea is to find activities you enjoy to get your mind off whatever is causung your anxiety. Hopefully these tips will give you ideas to find your own ways to relax.
1. Watercolor Paint
I'm a very artsy person and I love to paint, so when I'm feeling especially anxious I sit myself down and paint something. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, sometimes I just play with the colors. My favorite thing to paint are sunsets, I find them especially calming because you have to sped extra time blending all the sky colors together
2. Embroider something
I've recently gotten into embroidering and I love it. I know some people think it's a little "granny-ish" but it is very calming and not hard at all! I haven't attempted to add embroidery to an article of clothing yet, i just practice on scraps of cloth, but with the right amount of skill an practice it can be a great way to add a little oomph to your clothing and express yourself. I like to make flower patterns, I find them to be relaxing simple.
3. Read a book
Books are the ultimate escape and when your feeling too overwhelmed it's a good idea to grab your favorite and a cozy blanket to take a break from the world for a while. Any book will do, no matter what genre as long as you enjoy it and can get lost in it, it'll work. My preferred books to read are scifi, and my favorite series is Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I find that I can easily relax while reading those quirky books because of how funny and unique they are.
4. Draw or sketch
Along with painting I'm an avid drawer. Its very easy to loose yourself in the lines as you create your work. You don't have to be an expert or even that good at it. The only important part is to enjoy what your doing so you can relax and take a break from your anxiety.
5. Coloring books
If you're not into creating your own art from scratch you can always color in a coloring book and still get the calming vibes while creating some art. Adult coloring books are all the rage and there are even coloring apps for when you are on the go and can't afford co carry books and coloring supplies. When I was in high school I had a coloring app on my phone and it helped a lot to get my mind off my troubles so I could focus better.
6. Play a video game
If you play the right video game it can be very relaxing. I try to stick to the one person games versus online and multiplayer because those can get very intense and that's not what I'm looking for when I want to get my mind off my anxiety. My ultimate favorite games are the Sly Cooper series from Sucker Punch Productions. It's a childhood favorite that brings me nostalgia from a simpler time before life got so hard.
7. Play with your pet
If you have a pet, spend some time with them! My dog, Daisy, is crazy and always provides lots of laughs when I play fetch with her. She is obsessed with her Frisbee and throws herself into the air to catch every throw. Dogs and other pets have been scientifically proven to improve your health! No matter what pet you have, go play with them or have a cuddle session to help relax your mind.
8. Spend time with friends
If your're lucky enough to have good friends make sure you spend some time with them. We are social creatures and when I find I'm especially anxious confiding with a friend is a really great solution. Having a laugh with friends will instantly boost your mood and they can help give you another point of view to help you solve whatever is give you so much trouble. You don't have to go out and have an adventure togehther, just sitting and talking can do the trick. Even talking on the phone or video chatting with your friends will work.
9. Go on a walk
Whether you walk around the block or go for a nature hike, the fresh air and exercise are sure to clear your mind. It's even better if you take your pet or some friends along to add to the experience. I love to walk around on trails in parks admiring the beauty of nature. It can be a very surreal and peaceful experience.
