A good anxiety coping strategy is a form of breathing called paced breathing.

Paced breathing is simple:

First - breathe in slowly for five seconds until your lungs are filled with oxygen to their maximum capacity.

Second - hold the oxygen in your lungs for around five seconds.

Third - exhale the slowly until the air is completely out of your lungs.

Fourth - repeat the above.



I learned about paced breathing while in group therapy some years back. It's great temporary relief for the effects social anxiety can have on you.

Great technique to use, chair.

This is also known as shamanic breathing. It is used to expel negative energy from your body and replace it with good energy.

I do this as well.

It's also good to focus only on the breathing and nothing else while doing the exercise. Helps get the mind of whatever is causing the anxiety.

Excellent exercise.

Another good one that works for me is inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This slows the heart rate and lowers anxiety.

Uh, this actually for some reason makes me more nervous and anxious :S

this works for me, but i can't hold it for five seconds. i think that holding my breathe adds to my anxiety, plus i tend to hold my breathe when i'm extremely nervous. just deep breaths in and making sure i blow them out again is very helpful for me. i think it helps to dispel adrenaline from the blood, too.