When I read, I can block everything else out and it calms me down. It is the only thing I can do where I can stay doing it for hours (I can do that with internet, but that is because I bounce around to twenty things at once, so I'm not counting that!). If I don't have a book with me, I feel out of place and sometimes even a bit panicky. I am always reading at least one book.

Does anyone else have an activity they do that has this affect on you?

In a sense, running calms me down. When I'm running, I'm more focused on the tiny goals I set for myself (one more song, one more lap, one more mile, one more minute.) Sometimes I get carried away and run for 2 hours. It relaxes me and de-stresses me, but still gives me energy to finish the day.

I read books too, but I'm usually reading 2 or 3 at a time, and I only sometimes finish one every now and then... I only finish a book if it's super interesting to me... I'm also always carrying at least 1 book with me in case I'm stuck waiting somewhere and I don't want to get bored..

I'm finding that photography helps me relax.... being out in the fresh air... and seeing things I never noticed before. :) I also write poetry.

Running
Woodworking
Restoring classic woodworking machinery
Cooking
Backpacking
Winter snowshoeing trips

-Swimming, around 2000 meters (80 laps) is really calming on me.
-30 minutes of exercise bike.

Reading is on my list too. However, in the last few years, it was really difficult for me to finish a book. I was taking the train to get to work and it was the best place for me to read. In the last 3 years, I travel to work with a friend and lost that part of the day. I now enjoy reading again since I start taking meds for my now diagnose add. It is really calming.

Exercise is the best for me.

Watching a movie or TV is a good one if I'm feeling really lazy.

Reading a book as mentioned above.

Riding horses. Especially dressage. I totally focus, then afterwards, calm for the rest of the day.

Anything that will interest me enough that I hyper focus on it. Its distracting my mind from whatever the stress-or is until my emotions calm down. Reading helps me a lot too. Also changing my environment, going outside, inside or down the road.

A nice hot bubble bath!

pacing, music.
Pacing especially calms me down..it slows my mind down, and makes it alot easier to think...
Music..if its like reggae, instrumental,classical easy listening..it calms me down compleltly..
Internet..kinda but i tend to be on like 6 diff websites at once..so my mind isnt realy relaxed..

Fixing things, or building things. I've been learning to play the banjo, and I can find that very calming.

wow awesome that you play the banjo!
how long have u been playing that?
what made you chose to play banjo?
im thinking of taking up an instrument..still deciding what..?

I am an incurable lover of bluegrass and old time music. I just find the sound of a banjo intoxicating. I think when learning to play an instrument, it's important to really love the instrument. That way practicing with it isn't just work. It's fun to plunk away on tunes. I have a guitar, harmonica and a keyboard, and I think the banjo is the only that's really held my interest.

It's also neat, being tuned to an open G chord:) You can just strum the strings and it almost sounds like music.

Added: I also find it much easier to fret than a guitar. Much easier on the fingers.

I got through high school by knitting. I didn't knit anything in particular, just the actions were enough to calm me down. (nana got me into it :P)

Colouring in! The focus required to stay between the lines etc really clears my mind and i alwyas finish feeling great. However, i can't colour things in the colours they are supposed to be, i have to just forget about it and colour everything random colours, otherwise the anxiety and the perfectionism ruins the whole thing.

Fishing by myself
Playing golf
Grooming the dog
Working on the house, building, remodeling
Quiet drive in the country

I'm sure there are many more things

banjo

ooo !

Eagles

banjo

'journey'

'Hitchhiker's guide'

sentences !!*!??

== prison on WackyVoria

Training horses -- especially colts... LOL
Singing
Playing piano
Writing
Painting
Drawing
Cruising the back roads