How can you deal with anxiety when you're in public?

I think when you're anxious in public, we must distract ourselves by doing another activity or hanging out with someone so that our mind is occupied and we don't think much about what got us anxious.

I take a deep breathe and ground myself with mindfulness techniques. If I get too anxious, I use the 5-step senses technique: name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell and 1 thing you taste.

I make sure I take a set of headphones with me everywhere I go. When the anxiety starts to amp up, I will put in my headphones and concentrate on the music instead of what's making me anxious.

I have had anxiety many times in public places. In these circumstances, I become an "active listener". This takes the pressure off of me. I focus on listening and the speaker is usually more than happy to have me listen. Soon, my anxiety clams down because I am focusing on someone other than myself.

You can deal with anxiety when you're in public by leaving large crowds, taking mindfulness breathing, listen to music and or talking to friends you know for distractions or doodle.

Try to visualize nice or relaxing things in your head. Maybe even sing or hum a tune; music has been proven to release stress. Personally, I like to fidget with my hands or pet things nearby when I feel anxious, maybe that can work for you too!

Take in sensory information around you. Pay attention to what you see, smell, taste and feel. What is going on inside will start to get better when you look outward and realize there is no danger. Panic attacks typically don’t last longer than five to 10 minutes, so if you can engage in a good conversation — or even refocus your energy by reading or watching TV — you’ll settle down more quickly. When symptoms begin to arise, your breathing is often the first change that occurs in your body. Shortness of breath and hyperventilation are some of the most common physical symptoms of panic and anxiety.1 But experiencing accelerated breathing in public can make you feel more alarmed and potentially increase your feelings of anxiety. Breathing exercises can help you to slow your breath down, eliciting feelings of calm and relaxation. Deep breathing can also greatly help keep other symptoms from escalating, such as rapid heart rate or chest pain.