Less destructive "active" habits than drinking/smoking to take the edge off

G

gh0st

Chicken
Any other current or former anxious / compulsive types have any ideas for better ways to dissipate nervous energy? I'm specifically referring to things you can actively do in a ritualistic, repetitive manner in social situations - like taking a sip of a drink or puffing on a cigarette, not permanent "life change" type of stuff like meditation, nutrition, lifting etc.

Thanks!
 
Fortis

Fortis

Crow
Gold Member
Do box breathing.

Stretch or take a quick walk.

Do 20 kettlebell swings as fast as possible.

I sometimes get anxious, so instead of biting my nails, I'll stand up and do whatever I'm doing. So I'll stand up and read, or stand up in a different corner of the room while doing work or something.

I find that a lot of anxiety is rooted in the body, so if you activate your body.

Activate your body to control it.
 
Tiger Man

Tiger Man

Woodpecker
Carry around a small pad of paper and a pen (like a small Moleskine notebook). Often, neurotic types are ruminating, and they tend to be at least somewhat aware of what they are ruminating on. It can be helpful to write those thoughts out - to put them to paper. This can be done effectively in a social situation unless you have Aspergers or are emotionally blunted. It might even add a little social cred if you give off an artistic or business vibe.

Another thing I know some people do is ritualistic affirmations or prayers (obviously said in their head). Sometimes, people will carry around Buddhist prayer beads, or a Catholic Rosary, or Orthodox/Eastern prayer ropes. Again, it is something that can also serve as an interesting talking point and social cred (clearly situational here).
 
S

Salvadore

 
Banned
Get into music and start expressing your "energy" and feelings through it! Whether that is buying a guitar and learning an instrument or playing around with a music program is up to you.

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^ OP in 6 months.
 
Suits

Suits

 
Banned
Fortis said:
I sometimes get anxious, so instead of biting my nails, I'll stand up and do whatever I'm doing. So I'll stand up and read, or stand up in a different corner of the room while doing work or something.
Click to expand...

Have you tried not reading my posts?
 
SlickyBoy

SlickyBoy

Hummingbird
Tiger Man said:
Carry around a small pad of paper and a pen (like a small Moleskine notebook). Often, neurotic types are ruminating, and they tend to be at least somewhat aware of what they are ruminating on. It can be helpful to write those thoughts out - to put them to paper. This can be done effectively in a social situation unless you have Aspergers or are emotionally blunted. It might even add a little social cred if you give off an artistic or business vibe.
Click to expand...

This is one reason I like the Samsung Note series. Stylus devices have come a long way since the Palm Pilot. With a phone like that you can avoid carrying an extra item in your pocket and jot things down instantly. It's not bad for quick sketches either. I was surprised how favorably some women reacted to stupid little comics I'd do on that device. I never thought drawing was some huge talent to master but it unlocked some "most interesting man" check block I never knew existed. The Note 9 comes out this fall, so there's probably some promotions for the Note 8 if you look around.

And yeah, avoid picking up a Note 7.
 
azulsombra

azulsombra

Pelican
SteezeySteve said:
Chewing gum

Pacing
Click to expand...

Chewing gum is good.

It has a few negatives though as most brands have fake sugars like sorbitol and apartame which can cause digestive problems, along with the extra saliva production and air swallowing involved with longtime chewing. Still its less harmful than smoking and much cheaper.
 
John Gotti

John Gotti

Chicken
- Exercise
- Cut the caffeine, if you're already a naturally anxious caffeine will turn you into an absolute maniac
- Go on a walk
- Read
- Bianural beats
 
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