How I distract from my anxiety 

I have bad anxiety too and I like to watch other people talking about it, it makes me feel kinda better about it. ty Emma for keeping it real

idk if anyone else gets like this, but i legit get anxiety out of no where. it's generally my fear of being drugged, or dying. the being drugged thing is weird but i legit just think i'm dying always lol

im 12 and suffer from social anxiety school is really hard for me i will sit in class and feel like everybody hates me. i always feel like my freinds hate me. the worst for me is when i hear someone laugh i feel like their laughing at me. i have only just learnt that i have social anxiety but i have never spoken to a real person about it because im too scared

my anxiety started when i was 12 and the second i found out my mother was homophobic

Whoever reads this ... Have a great day and keep smiling :3 !

I like to draw, because even though it seems like a thing that would keep me awake, there's something about the sound of the pencil on paper and the having to just focus on what i'm creating really helps me to calm down and even get sleepy

"What if I can't get into uni, what if I don't get a job, I have no other plan" *Immediately starts panicking* 😂

Thank you so much Emma, school starting up again has made my sleeping and eating bad, which has made panic attacks much more frequent. Also math is the devil for me. Ily

Emma, you have no idea how perfect your timing with this video is. It's almost 6 o'clock in the morning right now and I haven't slept because I'm so anxious. (I would say what I'm anxious about... but I'd rather not) Every time I try and sleep my brain just floods with terrifying thoughts... Also when you were explaining anxiety and how you experience it I literally almost started crying because I relate so much to it.

thank you for making this, it was really open of you, and helpful too

the fanfic one, i use that most of the time i have a panic attack and it really works, also i listen to fall out boy.

Hi Emma, Genna Zachary here. I've suffered from anxiety and depression since I can remember. My symptoms elevated when I went through puberty. My mental illness isn't a cultural thing, no bad things have happened to me to make me sad or anxious. It comes from my head (i have an imbalance). You speak here about distractions. Perfectly honestly, distractions are the only reason I'm alive today. When I'm not doing something, the feeling of worthlessness creeps in. The reason to be on this planet disappears and all I can feel is this desire to end those feelings no matter what the cost. I work 7 days a week and keep myself so busy, because honestly If I stopped I wouldn't be alive today. I'm not trying to soak up affection. I've got, what I've got unless a miracle cure exists, I'm stuck with it. Anyone going through similar, I urge you to bother anyone that you can. Tell somebody about how you feel and spend time with them. If they can't be around for you, find someone who will. Sometimes I get so low, that I sit in a dark room, with my head down wondering if I want to be here tomorrow and the only way to get out of my head, is to speak with anyone. If you can distract yourself from your emotions for 5 minutes, you'll feel so much better and have a clearer head to be able to move on with your life. Dwelling on your anxiety and depression makes it worse. You need to move away from it. Also, if any single one of you in the comments ever needs that one person who will not judge you. If you need a person to talk to that isn't associated with you. I will always be there for you on this website. I will always try and reply to you as soon as I can. Nobody should ever have to suffer.

One time I was having a really bad panic attack and I was with my friend so we decided to write the most filthy and weird fanfic ever and publish it on Wattpad... It wound up being an Obama X Reader called "the Election Erection" and as uncomfortable as it was, it really helped... Yup, I'm definitely going to hell

School has made my anxiety increase so much and I can't stop thinking about exams and results and GCSEs and work and it's so stressful 😫 thank you for this Emma, this video is really helpful 💗

I had my first panic attack on a school trip up a mountain 100 miles from home - and ever since I've struggled with catastrophic thinking and recognising that my thoughts are irrational- panic attacks and anxiety sucks but one of my biggest aspirations is to make people feel like they're not alone and that it is liveable and manageable with help x ❤️

I have generalized anxiety disorder and depression. The biggest thing I have found with negative self talk is to first recognize it, and then challenge it. If you wouldn't say it to someone you love (parent, child, SO etc ) then you don't deserve that type of treatment from yourself. For my anxiety the best things are cuddles, getting outside or just moving out of whatever environment I am in. Also blasting dance or Disney music and singing helps. Reading, listening to music, watching documentaries and you tube etc. something you can focus on and is relaxing. A youtuber with a soothing voice and a topic that won't excite you- empties videos and panning videos are my favorites. Thank you for this video Emma!

I have an anxitey disorder and this is so insperational to see you talking about it

I completely empathise with you Emma. Nighttime is the worst as there are no more distractions. You can easily distract yourself during the day but when you're trying to sleep and anxiety kicks in you're helpless. I tend to just use deep deliberate breathing to calm my senses but a 3DS or even mobile apps can be handy too. And I thought I had run out of reasons to admire you. You are so brave to discuss your issues. Bless you Emma.

my pets are the best for calming me down. my cat purring is an incredibly calming sound, so I grab her. I also have rats that I love hearing eat, drink and scuttle about. there's also the reminder that they love you unconditionally and are 100% always up for squishes, which is wonderful.

for me asmr videos helped the most, especially the caring friend roleplay, girlfriend roleplay, and there are some asmr videos specifically for anxiety. And if anyone who read this HAVEN'T watch any asmr videos, don't watch the roleplay yet, just watch the one for people with anxiety or just simple ear to ear whispering.

The other week I started having an attack and I put on Bo Burnham's album what. and after the first few songs I was calmed, in a better mood and close to falling asleep. Laughter is the best medicine besides, y'know, medicine.

A twist on the audiobook, find a playlist on RU-vid of anything you want and put your phone face down so the light doesn't keep you awake, my anxiety always creeps up when I'm trying to get to sleep and this helps. Just back sure your notifications are on silent, not vibrate because there's nothing worse than when you're drifting off to sleep then BZZZ!

Coincidentally, that's what I'm doing right now. Tonight's a depression night for me, rather than anxiety, but it's the same premise of not being able to switch off my thoughts. So this evening I did a load of crying, wrote it all out in a notebook, then for the last few hours I've been watching you and not thinking about anything and will continue until I manage to close my eyes. I just find the tone of this channel so chilled and even your voice and everything (maybe cos you always seems to film after your naps) is so soothing and therapeutic that it doesn't matter what you're talking about, I'm just calmer when I'm watching you. :) So a huge thanks for that, your distraction may well save my life one night, who knows. 💙

Listening to music REALLY helps me. But the one thing I always turn to without fail if anxious thoughts are creeping in is comedy. Cheesy sitcoms. I shamelessly love them so much. Stand up comedians, anything like that yknow? But I adored this video so much. I'm glad you've found a few things that help you ❤️

I love these sorts of videos, they really help

Love you Emma, you're such an inspiration and tbh this channel is my fav. Just, thank you for existing.

You're so brave to talk about this! I don't have anxiety (at least, I don't think I do), but when I'm having a bad night and thinking about bad things, I listen to music, but not sad music, usually unnecessarily optimistic upbeat j-pop. Sometimes, I like watching looping gifs of like a cat swaying or an owl I think it was. Also, listening to rain or thunderstorms is really really calming to me, or ocean waves, or strong wind, just nature sounds in general.

she's such an inspiration to me she makes me feel like its okay to be myself and it doesn't matter what anyone thinks about me

If you tell someone not to think of a pink elephant, the first thing the brain will do is imagine a pink elephant ;d

i've just recently started regular journaling and i've found i cant even fall asleep anymore without writing my thoughts down first. and i've filled half a journal in like a week. i totally recommend it.

I really loved the tip about writing down your thoughts and the feelings, and I think I will implement them in my routine! I struggle with anxiety a lot and I'm recently really getting into self care. I would recommend making yourself a hot water bottle or a hot drink, maybe reading a really nice book (for me it's Harry Potter, because it makes me feel calm and secure) or solving a riddle, sudoku or crossword, it really helps distract your brain from your spiraling thoughts.

This video couldn't have come onto RU-vid at a better time! I recently got told I may have relapsed with cancer. I have felt sooooooooooooooooooo anxious about it all! I can't eat properly, I'm struggling to sleep and I constantly feel sick. I broke down in tears the other day in college so that was embarrassing! I won't find out my results for about 2 weeks so the uncertainty is really stressing me out. So far I have found that listening to happy songs really really load, watching RU-vid videos and texting my friends about hot guys and making up fantasies about how we are going to kidnap them and stuff has really helped me to feel more relaxed. Hopefully things will get better and it isn't cancer but of course the uncertainty is really stressing me out. There we go, that was kind of therapeutic actually visualising and writing down my thoughts. So I agree with Emma, writing things down helps. The next 2 weeks feel like they are going to be the longest 2 weeks of my life, having constant anxiety and not sleeping or eating but hopefully things will get better once I get the results. Tbh I just want to find out if it is cancer or not and if it is at least I won't have this feeling of uncertainty anymore. When I was diagnosed before, I was given lots of support and always had people around me that I could ask questions but now it's a waiting game and because I haven't actually been diagnosed with anything (and hopefully won't me) that blanket of support isn't there for me. I might go and see the counsellor at college but I'm unsure, I'll see how things go, anyways Emma thanks for the video and tips xx

You're so brave. I love you. You've helped me in so many ways!

I am pretty sure I am developing anxiety, like literally on Monday the entire morning, from about 9 to 1, I was feeling constantly anxious, and I am not even sure why looking back, I have no idea what to do about it.

I'm 14 and I've been suffering from severe anxiety since last year, but something I recently discovered has been helping with my sleeping at least. I really do recommend it, as weird as you might find it, ASMR does actually really help. I just listen to it with my headphones while getting to sleep so yeah, would recommend!

I usually write lists. I mostly start listing what I'm getting anxious about and then try to list how to fix/prevent those thoughts from coming true etc! It's really helpful to see the thought on paper and then slowly go through them to figure out some kind of solution xx

This helps me because I have very bad anxiety, especially in social situations

now I´m just confused am I: A scaredy-cat/paranoid/suffering from anxiety? I think I´m just stupidly scared of everything but IDK.

I have anxiety (I recently broke my record for having the most panic attacks in a day, it was 5 now it's 12 😆) and it's like your brain is working against you. Like Emma said, it's constantly searching for something to be anxious about... And now I am shaving my head in 2 days it's got a whole lot worse... But watching these videos really cheers me up. So... Really... When I have a panic attack or start to feel really anxious at 2am... I watch your videos, Emma. They really do help me. Thank you Xx

Anxiety became a part of my life again 2 months ago when my dad died. What helps me is chatty RU-vid video's, much like audiobooks really. And a warm shower before i go to bed. Good luck to everyone and their own struggle, big hug from the netherlands and thank you Emma for this video!

i had my first panic attack last week and i have been having loads now recently, it was so terrifying i thought i was dying. thank you so much for this video it is very helpful

You've basically said "this is something for another video" in every video to this point 😂 at least you won't run out of video ideas any time soon. But in all seriousness, I absolutely love this channel and how genuine it is!

I do a lot of breathing techniques because my anxiety is based around the fear of being sick, so if I breathe enough my body relaxing and I feel no "symptoms" that weren't there in the first place! Count the same amount of seconds in and out, I try to get as many seconds as I can, good distraction. Also fuck yeah I second that fanfic comment! Think of all the amazing writers that wouldn't be published and wouldn't be read without it. Plus it's like getting more content when you already know every single thing about a show/book etc.

Man, that description of anxiety at the beginning was bang on. I might have cried but I find it so helpful and validating I guess to hear my experience articulated so well and accurately. Great advice too, thanks for being your brilliant self.

* pauses video, searches "Emma Blackery fanfiction" * .............Dang it, Emma.

Fanfiction saves my life. Whenever I'm really anxious I look to it with some calm music and everything's okay again. You'd be surprised by how many heartwarming and well written fanfictions there are out there.

I find that planning what you'll do the next day, and trying to hold to that, and take things one at a time helps dealing with anxiety... Also, along the lines of the audio books, during the day, if you're alone at home, put on the radio.

keeping a journal and using it every night/whenever you can really helps me!

i usually read fanfics or watch cute catvids/pics when i get my anxiety attacks and they calm me down

Honestly, thank you so much Emma, you couldn't have picked a better time. I've been on the verge of an anxiety attack for a few days. I've felt physically sick and weak, and I've never seen somebody explain their anxiety the same as mine before. I'll have to try audio books, as I have a very long commute each day, and often my anxiety gets really bad during it. I've also found animal crossing really helpful when I'm panicking about everyone I love secretly hating me, it's just constant reassurance and they even remind me to take care of myself. Its like a nice fuzzy mental hug. My main thing has been reading Game of Thrones, I find it so easy to get lost in the characters. Its stopped a few anxiety attacks for me, and I'm slowly getting better. I also enjoy creating really weird doodles and thinking up back stories, it's just a fun bit of entertainment that can keep me busy for a few minutes.

Your videos are a perfect way to distract myself from anxiety every morning. This channel is my favorite now, seriously. My anxiety likes to talk to me about how I'm never gonna get a job, how terrible I am in school just wasting time with people that hate me, how I need to put money away because I won't have any when I'll be able to socially get out of my house and live with my boyfriend but non economically. My nightmare is generally having to stay in my parent's house because of the lack of money. It sticks to me a lot. I'm not even 18 and I'm constantly trying to find a small job to get some money, even sacrificing my saturday nights because I don't care about them anymore. I feel fucked up sometimes but hey, at least I don't spend money in drugs lol

When I read the title my eyes did a small roll (I apologise!) because I've been on so many 'how i deal with...' for my anxiety when I feel dark and there are so many 'just focus on the good things in life' that I just can't relate to in that moment and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels disheartened with things like that. So thank you for a genuine list that helps for you! I play scrabble on my DS! I also like to put Harry potter audiobooks on and do random drawing. I'm so glad I can relate to this Emma, you're helping me more than you could imagine, thank you.

Listening to Emma's videos is rather calming. Honestly, I work 50 hours a week am older and live alone. Sitting at home alone it's nice to just hear someone talk about anything even just how their day went.

I can totally agree with the Animal Crossing thing. I've been having a really hard time recently and being productive in AC has really helped me stay calm. Now it's October there's a Halloween quest. Growing my house and building up my town by myself is really soothing.

whaaaa but ok I've been reading fanfic for a few months before going to bed because it's helped my anxiety. I didn't think anyone else did that. Solid!

I was never sure if i had anxiety but i'd get attacks every now and again and I found it really was my lifestyle that affected it. I didn't have many friends and the ones I had didn't like me and I spent a large amount of time alone. What really helped me was surrounding myself with people so i'm always able to have someone to talk to. RU-vid also helped me alot because having videos like this helped distract my brain from going to those places. The thing for me which causes my anxiety is being alone to my own thoughts and I find people who make you laugh, be it in person or on a screen, are really the best things in my life.

I find that listening to stories helps me a lot. Not just audiobooks, but even people on RU-vid talking about things. This video helped tonight, for example. How meta is that? Sometimes if I know I won't sleep because of pain level I draw or do a bit more on my gundam kit. I do also find certain music helpful, but it has to be something that isn't sad and that I can imagine things to go along with. If you can get your mind imagining something to go with what you're listening, I find it helps drown out the voices and even helps you drift off to sleep without noticing the passing of time. Anyway, thank you Emma. I enjoyed and appreciated this video :3 you're awesome

Fanfiction (both reading and writing) really help distract me from everything going on. I have a few writers that I go to when I'm freaking out that always help distract me.

This is exactly why you are my inspiration. Because with my anxiety, it makes me feel like I can't do what I want when I'm older. I always feel I can't be a RU-vidr without getting terrible hate. But since you're a RU-vidr and you continue to upload dispite anxiety, idk it just makes me feels like I can do it too.

I have social anxiety and general anxiety regarding stress at college. When I feel like this at home I like to listen to classical music or read a book, but sometimes this doesn't work if I start to feel vertigo so I message or phone my friends and they help to talk me through it and just take my mind off of things. I don't write fan fiction per se, but I do like to write short stories or watch RU-vid videos. I'm still working on how to manage it in social situations, but drinking water and staying hydrated is always something I do as soon as I start to feel it coming on. Thank you for making your videos. I am a new subscriber to your channel and just think you're wonderful.

I've also read Chinese Cinderella! I think I might be one of the few people who has combonation Anxiety and Depression and one of them actually helps with the other, cause any time I can catch myself going into that territory i'm just like "well, I didnt really wanna live anyway"

When I'm anxious, I usually just try to remember that a day from now, a month from now, a year from now, whatever is making me anxious (it's usually school/assignments) won't matter. I won't be thinking this one thing is the be all and end all of me. Thanks for making this video, Emma!!

thank you for this video. I I suffer anxiety daily, which makes it Harder at times since I had my son who was born prematurely by 10 weeks and that heightened my anxiety massively!. I am the exact same I jump to the worst possible scenarios including if someone doesn't Answer their phone they're automatically hurt or dead and it's terrifying. I find video games and spending one to one time alone with my baby help. but night time is awful and never sleep as I always panick that now he's in his own room I won't wake up or and theres someone telling me that he won't be breathing or hurt and I would get there in time or he's going to be kidnapped. every night. but it's nice you can talk about this topic openly with your own personal experiences. thank you Emma ❤

I'm with you on the whole fanfiction thing! Not only is it good to read (mostly) but I think it is a wonderful platform for young writers to practice their style so they can one day write their own stuff.

wow, as a long time fanfic writer who is now a published author, hearing such an endorsement of something so positive from you is really heartwarming. Glad that it is able to calm your mind and being such a positive influence.

i listen to podcasts literally every night before i go to sleep. they're just super calming and I feel like I'm actually with the people that I'm listening to.

I actually loved her view of anxiety and how people genuinely can't control how they feel. If someone is anxious, don't make them feel like a burden or annoyance to you.

this channel has actually helped me sleep before. Basically like what you were saying about audio books, that the audible sound beats out thoughts. Plus all the videos are so chill, so that helps.

I watch you when I feel anxious or listen to podcasts and it always works. THANK YOU for this video, it means the world...love you to the moon Emma xxxxxxx

emma, i love this new channel - it distracts me from my anxiety :) - so thank you, such simple, personal content, love it.

Emma i just wanna say thank you so so much for this video, i'm having a seriously hard time with my anxiety and stumbling across this video has helped me immensely!

this has honestly helped so much, i never made the connection with my attacks happening mostly at night, but looking back they actually do, so definitely gonna try some of these methods out. honestly thank you so much for this💞

I love this. Thank you for sharing these options with us, Emma!

Yes Thankyou! I read fanfictions that are smutty/ fluffy and every now and then mysteries and they help so much to just venture into a different type of world

You are a hilarious person, I love your sarcastic/dry sense of humor very much. I also wholeheartedly admire you for many other reasons but this video is the one I want to comment on right now because I have these same issues. So thank you for this. And I also wanna say your music is super awesome & you're truly very beautiful. :)

Oh wow, I've never actually thought of distracting myself from anxiety before, I always used to just let it take its toll and play out. Thank u for this video Emma, I feel it will genuinely change my life💛

I have suffered with anxiety since puberty and have been on medication for a couple of years. Because anxiety varies person to person, I find it hard to find content I relate to, but I've always had trouble getting to sleep, and this video is such a good idea. I definitely find that audiobooks have always helped me get to sleep. Podcasts are good too, because they are free and easily accessible. But Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter is my ultimate going-to-sleep favourite. Thank you so much for talking about mental health topics, it's so important to talk about these things.

Thank you so much for making this. It's really really nice when people you admire bring awareness to anxiety and provide their coping mechanisms.

I can relate completely Emma, I have suffered from anxiety all my life and I find personally that just listening to the radio or soothing music. Sometimes just reading a book helps to.

I find just watching a candle burn and just focusing on that helps x

Perfect timing, I used this to distract me 😂 + talking to a friend either about what I'm feeling or about something else helps me, or even just reliving nice conversations from before

I knit and Crochet to help keep my anxiety at bay. The repetitive motions really help and at the end of it, you have a lovely new scarf or hat or gloves!

Thank you Emma so much, this has really helped. My anxiety is worse at night because I'm terrified by the idea of the night, so to distract myself I imagine the dawn and the sunrise and the birds singing. I'll normally listen to nature sounds as I fall asleep to, it just really helps me. I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but I hope it does. Anxiety attacks are the worst

with every video I relate to you more and more. thank you for helping to describe what its like. something that works for me is watching/listening to asmr videos. it calms me down a lot if I'm in a full on panic.

thanks emma xx usually i watch youtube with my phone on low brightness like i am now but just vloggers talking dodie a lot cause i love her so much and shes so calming!

I watch your videos when I get anxious and they helped me A LOT to distract me, for longet than a year now and I cant even count how many nights you actually helped me get to sleep or get less anxious so thank you so so so much. I really appreciate your video's and I look forward to each and every one of them !! :)

I've been struggling with anxiety and depression too since high school. It's been getting worst since college and now living in adulthood its even harder. A few things that helps me is definitely writing my thoughts down in a diary, listening to calm music it depends on my anxiety its either sad songs or fresh ocean waves or dancing relaxing music. Keeping active and having new goals helps a lot to distract the current anxiety.

I really needed this video. yesterday I had the worst panic attack to date and everything just feels terrible, like a neverending stream of misery. Distraction is everything.

Thank you for that video Emma, these are great tips, some of which I hadn't considered before and I will definitely try them out! I really needed this today, thank you for being so awesome!

Oh boy did I need this video. I've had crappy mental health for years, and I always end up frustrated at myself (and in turn then making it worse) about how I fail to cope with my anxiety. I try so many means of distracting myself but it doesn't always work so I just get more worried, but this video has made me realise that I don't just need to rely on the same things all the time. Reading fluffy fanfic, listening to musicals or nice relaxing instrumentals has helped over the last few weeks and it's been a long while since I intentionally used them to help me calm down. Thanks for a brilliant video Emma - tbh I think even your voice has made me feel a little less anxious today.

Really glad you'r still working on this channel Emma got worried when you stopped making them for a bit. Keep up the good work.

anxiety is horrible. I developed an anxiety disorder in 2011 at the age of 17 when my so called friends turned on me and they used to say and post things about me in code behind my back. this doesnt sound like much but for me it was enough to cause me to have anxiety/panic attacks every day, i think other things contributed too. I never got any help for the way i was feeling and because I didnt deal with it and I shoved my issues to one side, i developed a dissociation disorder, which basically means my brain has shut off my emotion to stop me feeling any pain. this disorder makes me feel like i am trapped inside my head, its like i am looking through a camera lense at the world around me. this comes in different levels, some days its not too bad but when i socialise with a group of people i almost feel clastraphobic i feel that trappedl. ive been like this since 2012, after one of these freinds suddenly passed away, we had made up by then but i still had unanswered questions about things with her. I guess what i am saying is if your suffering with anxiety, dont be afraid to ask for help like i was as its better to be able to feel emotion than nothing at all, as its a reminder that your still on this earth. I seem to always question my own reality because of this disorder.

you're so lovely thank you! the audiobook idea is so good I've never thought of that

thanks for making this video emma, it's always good to see that one is not alone in those stressful moments and that people can share their ways of coping with it. You are such a caring person and i like you even though i only subscribed recently

Thanks for being brave enough to post about this, it's a sucky thing to live with. I get panic attacks any time during the day and even wake up in one from time to time. Every night I play Red Dwarf on my tablet. It's a program I know so well that when I'm listening to it with my eyes shut I can visualise what is happening on the screen. It helps to distract me enough to pass out. I also play with things that have a texture I can think about how it feels and moves, be it something smooth and cold or something warm and fluffy (aka my dog) it not only keeps your mind more focused but also gives you something to do with your body

when i have negative thoughts (mostly when i'm upset) i watch you, dan&phil, jack, mark, pewds and luke, you guys always cheer me up

Thank you for making this video. Anxiety is not talked about enough and people often don't understand it. I've had it since I was 18 and even now, 6 years later I have occasional days where anxiety comes back and it's awful. Thank you for this :) x

all the things you said really help me when i'm anxious like i read (a book or fanfiction), i write down what i'm feeling or thinking, i listen to music (literally all day) i drink tea, and also driving helps me (when i can) just driving and listening to music keeps my mind off things, or i just look up at the night sky, for some reason looking at the moon and the stars calm me down

A few years back I suffered from a load of anxiety. It started the moment night fell and I would suddenly get extremely anxious. One thing that especially helped me and things that will help me with my fears now is to watch funny things. I remembered that I would watch Top Gear and Psych and I could never think about my anxiety. Unfortunately, during that period the anxiety was so strong that the moment I stopped watching it came right back. The fanfic thing you mentioned is also very useful for just calming down in general. I never read fanfic, but I will always visualize it. I never thought indecently because I only had these imaginations about people I respected.

I'm also an Animal Crossing anxiety calmer, its so nice to hear that someone else does it, its really validating :)