Something to calm nerves

carlom18
carlom18 Posts: 174 Member
in Motivation and Support
As the title suggests, does anyone know of anything other than camomile tea or rescue remedy that can help calm nerves, or, if there is such a thing, help boost self confidence? Can be a food, drink or anything other than a medicine)

thanks

edit: this is related to calming nerves due to my driving test, which i have failed 4 times already : /. i rarely get this nervous.

Replies

  • Illona88
    Illona88 Posts: 903 Member
    practicing mindfulness.
  • Sorashi
    Sorashi Posts: 41
    Yoga has done so much good to me, give it a try!
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    If I wake up in the middle of the night and my brain won't stop running, I have a "mellow music" playlist on my iPod. Your tastes will be different from mine but it's a mix of folk music, Gregorian chant, soft rock, anything that calms me. Slower than a sleeping pill, but much better if you wake up at 3 AM and a sleeping pill would leave you feeling drugged out when the alarm goes off.

    And a good workout always helps me burn off steam.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    Breathing exercises, such as, breath in for 5, hold for 5, breath out for 5, hold for 5, rinse repeat.

    pity no medicine, love me some benadryl =P
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    for me, lifting heavy weights or other intense exercise is the best thing for getting rid of anxiety, a lot better than all forms of relaxation.

    and as I have PTSD I'm not talking about trivial levels of anxiety either
  • carlom18
    carlom18 Posts: 174 Member
    thanks for the reply all, i read up on a a breathing exercises similar to the one posted above about breathing in and holding for 5 and breathing out and holding for 5 which im gonna do before bed and when i get up tomorrow morning. workout is out of the question as my driving test is first thing in the morning and my workout after, and its almost bedtime for me here. and i have done the music thing for things similar to stress and nerves before and it worked, however the nerves are bigger this time, but ill also try it. :smile:
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Hot baths are always good. Maybe go to bed with a hot water bottle and heavy blankets.

    As for self-esteem, the only things that can really help with that are doing things that make you feel good about yourself or exploring with a licensed therapist why you have such poor self-esteem.
  • jshot278
    jshot278 Posts: 42 Member
    Some real good sex, haha!
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    Let go of the idea of the outcome being good or bad. What happens will happen and it was meant to be that way. Try to treat it as a meaningless event in your life. You are a wonderful person despite whatever happens, and no event outside of yourself can affect you unless you let it. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Rock on.
  • fitfreakymom
    fitfreakymom Posts: 1,400 Member
    passion flower oil
  • fitfreakymom
    fitfreakymom Posts: 1,400 Member
    I have ADHD and I have found that stationary rowing, walking the dogs and passion flower oil seem to work

    The only issue i have with the oil is remebering to take it lol
  • shoshi68
    shoshi68 Posts: 407 Member
    Yoga or a great workout, works for me. If this is chronic, and is getting in the way of you carrying on your day to day, consider Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Good luck!
  • annepage
    annepage Posts: 585 Member
    The focus that you use for drawing helps a great deal whether you're artistic or not. Baking also helps a great deal.
  • NatashaShen
    NatashaShen Posts: 295 Member
    I know what you're going through. I failed my written test 3 time. No advice here. Good luck.
  • IzzyBooNZ1
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    Just want to say good luck ! I would avoid caffeine and sugary things beforehand , these can sometimes make you feel more anxious, nervous and depressed
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Oh, well. What about the test makes you so nervous? Do you always get nervous when driving in the car with someone new? Do you tend to get nervous with exams?
  • BamBam125
    BamBam125 Posts: 229 Member
    Do something that you enjoy or that wears you out before the driving test (assuming you failed because of nerves instead of because you need to study). For example, jump rope in the parking lot or play cards with a friend in the waiting room.
  • kbeckley11
    kbeckley11 Posts: 203 Member
    edit: this is related to calming nerves due to my driving test, which i have failed 4 times already : /. i rarely get this nervous.

    So, I suppose my initial thought, alcohol, probably wouldn't be the best solution.

    I do agree with the poster who said to treat it like a meaningless event in your life. I sometimes do this to help me get over my nerves. If I think about it like it doesn't matter, then the results don't matter, and I calm down, and do much better than if I just stressed over it constantly.
  • cnelson1974
    cnelson1974 Posts: 235 Member
    I occasionally use Melatonin (in the vitamin section of your local drug store / Walmart) to help slow me down after a perticularly stressful day. It's a naturally produced chemical in your brain that helps you sleep. It's not addictive and doesn't leave you groggy in the morning. I was told by a miliary pilot it's one of the few things he's allowed to take while flying.

    I suppose you could take it during the day, but I would probably follow some of the great recommendations listed above for daylight hours.

    Hang in there! Cheers.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    Good luck when you take your test again. Try to study for it as much as possible and tell yourself that you're going to pass this time. You can do it. Just stay positive. The more prepared you are for the test the better you'll do and the higher your confidence level will be. Take your time taking that test as well. I don't believe it is a timed test. Not in my state anyway.

    I have a massive certification exam in 2 weeks that is timed. Only 2 out of 50 pass it. I've been studying every day for the past few months. Timing myself using the practice exams and I know I can do this... I know you can too!!

    Study study study. Get someone to quiz you on it so you feel more confident that you know your stuff. It makes a big difference.

    Oh and if i forgot to say it... good luck!
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    I have BAD text anxiety. So bad that I took a class designed specifically to teach you test taking strategies. Some of the things they suggested that's worked for me everytime:

    1) Put on your headphones right before the test and listen to music that pumps you up. Not only does it feel good, but it helps distract from negative self-talk (and the chatter of others around you.)

    2) Stretch.

    3)
    Let go of the idea of the outcome being good or bad. What happens will happen and it was meant to be that way. Try to treat it as a meaningless event in your life. You are a wonderful person despite whatever happens, and no event outside of yourself can affect you unless you let it. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Rock on.

    This. Know that you have done your best to prepare and the outcome will be what it will be. Failure may result. But effort will earn you the ability to keep trying.

    4) Something small to eat beforehand. My favorite thing is a little sugary something - bag of MM's, a peach, but whatever fits your dietary goals. Hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate also help me.

    I use these EVERY SINGLE TIME I have a test for ANYTHING. School, job, personal life. I regularly score higher on everything when I employ these methods.

    Good luck to you!
  • mariannekehl
    mariannekehl Posts: 66 Member
    Some real good sex, haha!

    THIS!!
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
    I was going to write ' smoke some pot'.... till I read the rest of your thresd, a really bad idea if you're going to be driving. lol. Plus depending on where you live, may be illegal. So, best runner up: Evening Primrose oil which can be purchased at any health foods store in gelcap form is a really good calming agent, works best after a few days of use, you'll notice a difference. It has been a lifesaver for me.
  • Liatush
    Liatush Posts: 627 Member
    Chewing gum sometimes helps me calm my nerves, but more than food/drink to calm down, try to focus on your breathing, listen to soothing music, and try and focus on the task at hand. This will help you more than any magic pill out there.

    Good luck!!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Tai Chi, yoga, mediation...
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    Vodka:drinker:
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
    sooooooo.... did you pass?
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    a good hard run works for me
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    I occasionally use Melatonin (in the vitamin section of your local drug store / Walmart) to help slow me down after a perticularly stressful day. It's a naturally produced chemical in your brain that helps you sleep. It's not addictive and doesn't leave you groggy in the morning. I was told by a miliary pilot it's one of the few things he's allowed to take while flying.

    I suppose you could take it during the day, but I would probably follow some of the great recommendations listed above for daylight hours.

    Hang in there! Cheers.

    I wouldn't take a sleep aid during the day. I've taken melatonin at night, and there's no way I'd take it when I have to drive, be at work, form a sentence...

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