1. < Depression & Anxiety

Living in the present and actions to reduce anxiety

Posted by BoneHead @stsopoci, Jun 11, 2019

Sometimes I spend way too much time in the future and have to just get busy doing any thing to kick myself back into Now time. I’m GAD and I realize that anxiety about anything is a trap for me. I have several escape actions that help me. I can go to the cabin and chill out and do the simple life or I can exercise or play on the piano. What ways do others find to help their anxiety?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 10, 2020
In reply to @healingone "I might get a glass of tea, sit on the porch and mentally name: •everything I..." + (show)
@healingone

I might get a glass of tea, sit on the porch and mentally name:
•everything I see,
•everything I hear,
•everything I smell,
•everything I taste,
•everything I feel on my skin (touch).

If I just name 5 things I see, 5 things I hear, 5 things I smell, 5 things I taste, and 5 things I feel touching me, (as most recommend) I cannot ground myself and have my thoughts in the present. (My stressful thoughts would nonstop loop.)

PM me if you'd like the book name and author that I learned this strategy from.

Have a great day!

Jump to this post

So, @healingone, if I understand you correctly, you sit on the porch with your tea and name 5 of each of those items touching each human sense, and that brings you more into the present and helps get racing thoughts and any anxiety under control?

REPLY
1 reply
healingone | @healingone | Feb 10, 2020
In reply to @lisalucier "So, @healingone, if I understand you correctly, you sit on the porch with your tea and..." + (show)
@lisalucier

So, @healingone, if I understand you correctly, you sit on the porch with your tea and name 5 of each of those items touching each human sense, and that brings you more into the present and helps get racing thoughts and any anxiety under control?

Jump to this post

No.

I have to name all the things I see, hear, smell, taste and feel until my thinking is in the present.

REPLY
annedodrill44 | @annedodrill44 | Feb 11, 2020

You are all the most helpful, caring, wonderful people. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and ideas. I’m so grateful for Mayo Clinic Connect!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.