What can I do to calm down and relax in public situations?

Mindfulness strategies really helped me when I was in the thick of my anxiety and OCD. What you do is you name the things you can hear, taste, smell, feel, see etc. It really helps you to relax and helps you stay in the moment. I'm sure if you do a quick google search, you will find an article that explains it a lot better than I just did :)

For me, it helps to remember that everyone else is too concerned about themselves and how they come off to worry about me and how I'm coming off! Can you remember all the times someone minorly embarrassed themselves in your presence? Probably not!

Take deep breaths and close your eyes. Roll your shoulders. If you can, slip into the bathroom and dab your face with cold water.

There is a method you can use called 'grounding'. First look around and acknowledge 5 things you can see around you, and then 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This can help you to stop feeling overwhelmed and begin to calm down. It is always important to remember to just breathe! Continue this pattern until you feel calm, and try taking deep breaths in and out and focusing on your breathing. Hopefully this coping technique can help you relax and find relief and stay healthy :)