What are your mantras to get you through anxiety, panic, stress or despair?

[FinleyRhodes]

Title says it all. Please, Dopers, share your words of wisdom.

[FinleyRhodes]

"Chill out, it's not the end of the world. Only the end of the world is the end of the world". This helps me take things less seriously

AND

"Fuck it". It is a very empowering phrase

[Eliot Pryor]

Fuck 'em all !! Comes to mind so often.

[JohnEmad]

I just like to stay busy and laugh as much as possible. Be thankful. Good diet, exercise (I get outside as much as I can) and having goals have always helped me stay positive. A few good friends, dogs n cats are high on my list.
Worry was solved for me like this. If I have control over it then why worry? If I don't have any control over it then why worry? So that just about covers it all.

[BU2B]

It's the end of the world as we know it ... and I feel fine

[BR2K]

Take three,deep breaths - make them slow - goodbye to worry - don't you know.

[SoOrbudgal]

Get your ass off the couch get out and help others, quit whinning about your situation make life better for your self. Don't be sheep get your heart pumping for life is what you make it, figure it out.

[9fingerleafs]

if you google how to treat phobias it turns out that they all come from a place of anxiety and panic attacks, you can find many ways to work in your mental strength like visualization techniques and progressive exposure, for sadness i smoke weed and think, to control feelings of anxiety or just try to relax i like to do the "military style" breathing; counting 6 while breathing in, hold for two, release in 4 and count one before starting over, it really freaking works for me and i hope it does for you. soorbudgal is right, do stuff, try to do more everyday, get better at something every day, be kinder to someone, more forgiving, more anything you seem as a progress, because in being better than yesterday youll find a purpose in life that benefits you and everyone around you.

[kingfish]

[Eliot Pryor]

I think that photo is from a movie . "Maybe this is as good as it gets"
Appropriate.

[JDU]

"At least I'm not Gilbert Grape" can put things in perspective lol.
The best way I know of to feel better about life is just as Budgal said- git up off the couch & outta my head & go help somebody. Pass out a few dime bags among the homeless- better yet- volunteer at the shelter. Etc..

Watch "The Secret".

[BR2K]

Title says it all. Please, Dopers, share your words of wisdom.

Changing the status quo - Getting up, getting out both of indoors and out of your head are certainly viable strategies. While mantras, cannabis, action may help, don't hesitate to seek counsel if it's not working. A family member, friend, even an emergency room worker or a hotline may make a world of difference...my brother took his life decades ago - It shattered our family. As you can tell here, we wish the best for you but there are limits what a forum can do.

[ChefSheri]

When I'm stressed or anxious, I bake. That might sound silly to some, but I'm a retired chef who was never much of a baker. It requires a whole different skill set I had always kind of wanted, so after I turned 50, I decided to learn some new stuff that was just for me. So I ventured into Sourdough and (around the same time) growing weed. The two don't seem to have much in common, but they do. Growing pot is a specialized skill that requires specialized knowledge and equipment. If you do not feed and water your pot, it dies. Sourdough baking is much the same. I have kept my mother starter alive for nine years now. If she is not fed, used, and refrigerated, she dies. There Is magic and science working together here. Just the process of these two activities are so sweetly rewarding, and the end result, so very satisfying. And if nothing more, you will learn patience and to use the quiet times for your own. Look around and try to find that thing, for you, that calms your soul. You just might find it.

[SoOrbudgal]

Could not agree more ChefSheri. Open you heart and mind to living simple. Glad you have your healthy outlets, it's what I call them. Healthy hobbies and activities creating your own joy within.

[Mazzariman]

Well said ChefSheri! I actually decided to make a sourdough starter last October and it is still going strong. I was bored and going out of my mind with PHD (Post Harvest Depression) since I grow outdoors. I quickly started experimenting with using different ingredients for my boules. Kalamata olive with Rosemary is the favorite so far. Roasted garlic with everything seasoning is second. Trying a cinnamon raisin one tomorrow. It's been such a therapeutic endeavor!

[Guest]

“My motto as I live and learn, is dig and be dug in return“

Langston Hughes

[PRIMO]

One bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

[MeestaFeesha]

I can agree and vibe with all mentioned here. I find myself doing breathing exercises regularly, always helps to center myself. More importantly though, I realized that when I'm going through things I isolate myself. Recognizing patterns in your own self can be hard to see, a bit harder to actually work on. Getting out and breaking The circuitous routine is amazing, going for a walk/hike, reaching out to friends, finding a new hobby to fill the time...for each person it can be different, biggest piece is seeing it for yourself, for once you do, the ball is in your court.

"You are a very special person. There is only one like you in the whole world. There's never been anyone exactly like you before, and there will never be again. Only you. And people can like you exactly as you are." -Mr Rogers

[Toker1]

I like to smoke weed about it

[SoOrbudgal]

Toker1 me and my hubby were "weeding" last night during a movie

[Farmbuck]

SoOrbudgal Kool !! Me I almost slept last nite in the grow room, the girls are forming their budlets and I'm nervous as hell.

[Farmall]

Boy, a bunch of fucked up people!

RELAX...only kidding. It’s part of being human. I usually punch the wall!

[SoOrbudgal]

I think you said your wife was Italian Farmall ? I have that fire within me also...….my hubby says I talk like a " Soprano girl " when I get upset and I will tenderize a piece of meat till it's like rice paper LOL

[Farmall]

Hahaha.... actually, my wife is mostly French Canadian. I’m the Italian and I’ve seen the fire..I have a mother and sisters and on those days, I steer clear. Those Italians can be crazy sob’s

[Farmbuck]

Farmall French-Canadian tend to be a bit crazy. I should know I'm one of them lolll Wife anglo me franco do si do.