What a nice idea Joann.

This is one of my all time favorite photos and it was a lucky shot. It was overcast and gloomy all day and the sun happened to peek out for a few moments just as I was taking the picture.

This is the wallpaper on my phone. It's a motion wallpaper, the grasses sway in a light breeze. And it is sensitive to the time of day! Near sunset the blue sky shifts to sunset shades, then dusk, then nighttime with stars. It's so lovely and relaxing.

This is the sunrise as we return to San Diego at the end of our retirement cruise in 2013. 28 days!

I do so agree pictures can take us to a different place. I have a pretty big collection of screen wallpapers of scenes in nature. I have folders of images for different seasons and usually switch them out, but lately I have just one photo I keep up.

FWIW, there are any number of free HD wallpaper and screen saver sites to download from.

Here are a few of my faves:

And my current desktop:

P.S. Forgot to add that going for a walk & listening to a favorite podcast also helps a lot. The best is a walk on the beach, barefoot in the water.

Samoan flying fox in Fiji. This is my current desktop wallpaper.

I have a prescription for Librium, and so I can take that when I have anxiety, if necessary.

I meditate. I especially like yoga nidra which can take the edge off quickly especially after a sleepless night.

This is my current wallpaper on my machine...a shot I took at the Ghost Ranch in NM. Came out pretty good considering I was on horseback at the time....

Why can't I save any of these? right click does nothing, left click only opens but you can't save them? Thanks.

I think you have to click on the pic first to enlarge it...

It doesn't work, try it and if it works let me know since I am doing something wrong.

Well, I have a mac, so I can click to enlarge and then just click and drag the pic to my desktop. If all else fails you can do a screenshot.

joann_fl, I cannot copy today either.

With serious anxiety, upset, or fear, I pray and/or do a controlled breathing exercise.

I watch something familiar and comforting, like old nigella lawson cooking shows on YouTube. Or I listen to a favorite audiobook. Or Christmas music. Christmas music always makes me happy and calm....

Put on my music...works everytime.

Pray, pray, pray.

Dragging to desktop works on PC also, but you might have to make the browser slightly smaller. Click on the two square in the upper right corner to make the size of the browser changeable.

Screenshots do not always work, but you can use the snipping tool in Windows Accessories. Right click on the window tool in the bottom left, and search for snip to find this tool.

Positive thinking, self confidence and an upbeat attitude - always try, usually can accomplish

Patience - always

Try to find and implement a solution or redirect and find an alternative - when reasonably possible

Stuff happens to all of us that's beyond our control that we can do nothing about. In which case, the first two always apply and then I try to continue thinking about and moving forward as best I can until things get better.

First and foremost I try to deal with the issue bothering me, which means either making a plan to remedy the situation as best as I can, or figuring out how to accept the circumstances which are beyond my control.

Once I have a plan and need to decompress, my go tos are, in no particular order:

running,

playing the piano,

listening to music (Nine Inch Nails, and Wagner are cathartic for me,)

reading a novel (something light which requires little thought, The Cazalet Quartet hits the spot.)

I am a very sociable person, but when I am upset I need to be alone for a while to sort myself out.

This is my wallpaper right now. Remember upthread it was pretty blue sky? My actual sunset didn't look quite like this, not yet anyway. But we don't have west facing view so I'll take this for sure .

Good reminder, zalco, thanks. I rarely feel true anxiety but before retiring my professional work at times involved a lot of pressure and stress. I too play an instrument and I found that 30 minutes of playing to be quite relaxing, more so than most anything else. I now play less than I used to now - my wife occasionally asks why, and the answer is - less stress to deal with.

I love snorkeling, it really relaxes me. It's silent, you commune nature, and you get to see beautiful things. So this is doubly good. Snorkeling in a lagoon in Florida. Great memory. Saw the cutest blowfish ever.

I sing. At the top of my lungs!!!! Apparently, Broadway tunes. It's fun.

Almost forgot hugs - hugs can be very soothing.

Go to the beach

Go hang out with horses (bonus if I can go on a trail ride)

Drive in the mountains or a rural area

Lose myself in a book

Hike the Appalachian trail every day. These days birds are no longer singing and the silence is total.

Like Annie, I meditate.

If I'm upset....I listen to "Kill ya" type rock n' roll music and sing along. Gets out the bad energy...and wears me out.

I used to ride the bike paths in Venice CA almost every day, but eventually they became too crowded, and I found them often to be more irritating than soothing. I do miss riding along the beach, but the beach is now a couple of miles from my house, and so I don't ride there anymore.

I have a bike in the desert also but can only ride in the winter.

Joann, I hope you are feeling better. I have learned to categorize my feelings or issues that I am dealing with. I have a mental "spread sheet" where I place these issues ie something that I might find a solution for; something that has no solution so I just accept it as is; something that is beyond my ability to solve. Accept where these items fall and only concentrate on those things you have control to solve. Really work on solving what is at the route of your problem and deal with only it. The other things you are allowed to disregard. Keep it manageable. I hope I haven't confused you,,,,,,it is difficult to explain.

Pray, read my Bible.

Rusty

Over the years I found out having a dog to hold and pet helps me get past any anxiety or upset. I guess that is why dogs make such good therapy animals.

I have a bath....with lots of bubbles. The hot water is very soothing and a good soak will always make me feel better.

Annie Deighnaugh Thank you, that worked for me, I never knew :^D

Turn on YouTube and look up some relaxing music. Put your headphones on and relax to the music. If you can't go to the beach or even go for a walk, close your eyes and imagine yourself there. If you live close to the mountains take a drive and go for a walk there. It really does relax those thoughts.

FYI, the photos posted here get resized, and are much smaller than the originals, so if you want an image large enough for a computer desktop, you can save the image and put it into Google Image to search for a larger version.

I go out and pull weeds. Works for me.

"I go out and pull weeds. Works for me."

Call me the next time you're feeling out of sorts. I'll come by and pick you up for a ride to my place. I can help.

I do much the same as Roy4. I go outside, pull weeds, deadhead, edit. The neighborhood is usually quiet other than wind, insects, birds and I can get lost in what I'm doing. And stop thinking.

I should go now. My SIL just called and asked me where else to look for one of mothers hearing aids. It's not a 2000 sq foot apartment, its about 1/4 of that. Good grief, just look - since this is almost a weekly occurrence. Don't always feel the need to call me 2 hours away and try to include me in the search long distance ;0(

JoAnn, I just dragged a couple to my desktop. You should be able to, as well.

Just stay busy,.

Spend time in nature: ocean, garden, take a walk. Practice being in the moment.

Sam...I love your paintings!

I walk pretty briskly for 40-50 minutes daily, and it really stops anxiety.

During such time, if at night, meditation prior bedtime helps me sleep well. Go outside to smell the roses and view the vibrant sunpatiens when I can. Sometimes I just sit down to contemplate the impermanence of my feelings, the situations I’m in, and realize I’m still more fortunate than many. All things shall pass.