Varies on where I’m at. One thing I can do no matter where I happen to be is allow my body to lose its tension. This is a learned skill. Focus your mind on preferably a major muscle to start, and just will it to begin relaxing. I like imagining I’m becoming more liquid and that the stress I’m holding is draining away. It’s a lighter, though similar, feeling you get when your body is just exhausted and you lay down.

This is a part of a series of coping mechanisms I’ll choose from when my anxiety begins to peak.

Wanking.

Browsing the internet while drinking alcohol.

Unfortunately, it works really well. Can’t keep up the alcohol thing forever.

Check out weedtime 👍

Hot tub:

Sharpening/polishing knives and tools. No music or videos, just the sharpening. Water stone and warm water too.

It’s cathartic to do a good job sharpening and spending the time to get a good result. Especially when you get to the buttery smooth finishing stones. They’re quiet but have, quiet, subtle sounds that are relaxing to listen to.

Edible (currently Drops cranberry) and a beer (currently Rogue honey kolsch)

Play a game (currently co-op Stardew Valley with the wife)

It depends.

If I am anxious or upset, vigorous exercise works best. Exhausting my body settles my mind.

If I am burned out from work but can’t relax, a drink on the porch with my husband helps to unwind.

If I cannot sleep, yin yoga is the best. Slow cold yoga with lots of forward folding.

Physical activity. Going to the gym or going for a run. Watch movies/series. Lazing around while telling myself that it’s ok not to be productive.

A video game where you and a rotating groups of strangers each pretend you’re cars that are playing soccer.

I found a YouTube channel that discusses philosophy called Einzelgänger about a year ago and it helped change my whole perspective on life. I get stressed a lot less frequently now, but when am stressed listening to his videos calms me down better than anything else ever has. I’ve bought and read many of the books he talks about and look forward to buying new ones. My favorite authors so far are Arthur Schopenhauer and Albert Camus. I also recommend Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the Tao-te Ching by Lao Tzu, and anything from Seneca or Epictetus.

The best ways I’ve found:

Going for a run with music Doing VR Boxing Taking a nice long shower.

Playing dota is my escapism habit that is VERY counterproductive for destressing… I’m trying to start making music again as a substitution.

Finding joy in the small things. The way my dog stretches, smiling at a stranger, smelling a flower, a nice cup of coffee, a smile from a stranger, etc. Making the time and going out of my way for these small moments of joy is important to me.

Notice what’s causing the stress and do something to help. Sometimes through meditation, breathing, stretching, exercise, sex, massage, good food, water, sleep, fresh air, sunlight, or some combination. In general you can change your environment or change your mind.

Doomscrolling.

Very badly.