"Try to relax."

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Someone tell me how one can do this without the help of machines or drugs, because deliberately attempting to do so through willpower never works for me.

Bee

As corny as it sounds, the Happy Place method actually works for me.  Construct an environment that if it existed would make you feel very peaceful, then just daydream into it.

Needless to say, it doesn't tend to work during the majority of times when people actually tell me to relax, because that usually involves some sort of impending pain that doesn't quite fit said Happy Place.

Gelzo

Depends on the situation, but I can usually relax on command, at least to a state of lower stress if not to one of total relaxation. Putting your situation in perspective and taking a deep breath usually helps.

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It only really matters to me when i'm doing something that can easily cause frustration or general stress so...

Taking in deep breaths don't seem to work either, though a shower does.

The problem with a shower though is that using one every time I get pissed off at not being able to draw properly or something though is that it is rather...impractical.

Gelzo

It probably looks silly, but I guess in that case it can help to blow off some steam if you just stomp around and cuss.

But that would probably just be embarrassing unless you were alone.

TheMightyAnonym

As crazy as it sounds, the whole "stress out bitch and panic" routine doesn't actually accomplish anything.

In any case, I've said "try to relax" countless times before and know from personal experience that it never ever ever ever ever ever ever works. I didn't copy and paste those evers, so you know I'm serious. I don't know why it's soooooo difficult, but it just is. Some people are under the impression that they are better off worrying, even though it does nothing but put them in a worse spot. Perhaps they enjoy it; or maybe it's all they know how to do; or they might even do it in order to lie about the shaaaame of their situation, thus squeezing sympathy out of others. I really don't know.

Vorpy

Someone tell me how one can do this without the help of machines or
drugs, because deliberately attempting to do so through willpower never
works for me.

Have somebody calm you down, with the use of kissing or touching or rubbing.

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I'm pretty sure that would be counterproductive, a simple hug sounds better.

Vorpy

Then get one.

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I don't really feel like getting a hug for the purpose of calming myself down as a result of frustration. >_>

Especially considering how often it happens.

Vorpy

Try gagging yourself, holding your breath or scratching yourself. A little taserpen always helps to ease the mind.

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Why the scratching?

Vorpy

I should not have to explain that.

snowbull

Have you tried not thinking? That always calms me down.

LouieW

Edmania,


I think watching this or listening to the full version of this song is rather calming. I have some pretty strong bias there though so whatever.

I would suggest against gagging yourself or holding your breath. I do not think that doing either of those things is very healthy, well at least not for this purpose.

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^^ I'm terrible at doing that. Even when i'm taking a piss I keep thinking about something, most of it doesn't even relate to the current situation, there was this one time where I was thinking of German tanks, king crabs, children beating each other up with rulers to kill time waiting for a torrent to download, all in a place where gatorade replaced sea water and the sky was made of concrete at the same time...while I was taking an math exam.

snowbull

I just got good at doing it when I would stay awake at night worrying about things. Eventually I just started saying to myself that I wasn't going to think, and my mind would start blanking.