# What are Your Mantras to Get You Through Anxiety, Panic, Stress, Despair and/or Impending Doom? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150 "2020-02-19T04:30:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/21 "2020-02-19T16:33:31Z")
Let’s get this bullshit over with. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/22 "2020-02-19T19:11:41Z")
I ask myself “If I knew what I was doing, what would I do?” Then I try that. Also, if there’s nothing I can do, there’s nothing I have to do. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/23 "2020-02-19T19:19:25Z")
Just one more step. Just one more step. Just one more step. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/24 "2020-02-19T19:20:54Z")
My wife passed away about 12 years ago after a struggle against brain cancer. It was the toughest 2+ years of my life. At several points, I just sat on the kitchen floor and wept because I didn’t think I could cope with the situation. Towards the end, I started telling myself some Elvis Costello lyrics: “You can’t show me any kind of hell that I don’t know already.” Things might not get much better, but they can’t get worse. Since then, I remind myself of this. IRS sends a nastygram? Car needs a lot of work? Employment terminated? A friend passes away? It may not have happened to me before, but it’s not nearly as bad as what HAS happened. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/25 "2020-02-19T19:49:17Z")
“Zoloft, Zoloft, Zoloft, Zoloft…” ---
**Author:** ![Kelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/26 "2020-02-19T19:52:54Z")
This too, shall pass. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/27 "2020-02-19T19:54:46Z")
For personal situations: “It wont always be like this.” At work: “This is not my passion.” In public if I did/said something embarrassing: “I’ll never see these people again.” Faced with a physically demanding situation like a steep ski hill, large climb on a bicycle or hiking up/down a mountain peak: “Well, it’s not gonna go away.” ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/28 "2020-02-19T22:06:12Z")
> [@Kelby](#): > > This too, shall pass. The variant I know is: _Even this will pass away._ For disasters: _Nothing is ever as good or as bad as it initially seems_; or _Nobody died_. For impossible tasks: _You know how you eat an elephant?_ If all else fails: _Let’s do it._ Regarding the last, it has a double meaning. Others may think I mean, _Let’s get on with this with fortitude_. I do mean that; but these were also the last words of Gary Gilmore before he was executed. j ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/29 "2020-02-19T22:22:03Z")
When I experience severe anxiety, I use a series of cognitive behavioral therapy questions to work through it. Sometimes I just skip to the last one: _Is it useful_? (where “it” refers to me having anxiety or freaking out) Either there’s some purpose to my anxiety, in which case I can work toward that purpose, or there’s no purpose to it, in which case I can stop worrying. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/30 "2020-02-19T22:31:17Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > When I experience severe anxiety, I use a series of cognitive behavioral therapy questions to work through it. Sometimes I just skip to the last one: _Is it useful_? (where “it” refers to me having anxiety or freaking out) > > Either there’s some purpose to my anxiety, in which case I can work toward that purpose, or there’s no purpose to it, in which case I can stop worrying. I like that. Sorta like: “If a problem can be solved, there is nothing to worry about. If a problem can’t be solved, then worrying will do no good.” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/31 "2020-02-20T04:22:09Z")
I’m agoraphobic and certain things trigger me. Not always. Not always equally. I’m a runner. When I feel the panic rising often I can stop it by holding on to a table edge, a pole or chair back. If I ever start running out it’s too late. I’m gone. And talk all you want if I’m leaving, I’m leaving. Just how it is. I’m working on it, I promise. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/32 "2020-02-20T04:25:48Z")
Mantras are mostly useless. In my experience, panic (at least for me) usually has a biological component. When I address the biological component it tends to get much better. I’ve had issues with low blood sugar, trouble breathing at night, dysregulated cortisol, thyroid issues, etc. and they all cause anxiety issues. When those get fixed the anxiety gets better. A mantra wouldn’t fix it. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/33 "2020-02-20T06:05:12Z")
Someday I will be dead. And then I will never have to talk to these assholes again. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/34 "2020-02-20T11:17:55Z")
Faced with impossible odds, dire situations, horriiffic/ disgusting/ onerous tasks, I take a deep breath and say “I’m Going In!” ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/35 "2020-02-20T14:17:13Z")
Owaa tagoo samai I just say it over and over and over until I calm down. Try it! ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/36 "2020-02-20T14:49:20Z")
Monty Python’s Galaxy song can help put things into perspective. Also, there’s Carl Sagan’s excerpt/photo of A Pale Blue Dot. But, depending on your interpretation, that may not always help. Lately, the tenets of Stoicism have been valuable. I owe thanks to \*\*Chad Sudan \*\*in a [recent thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22102319&postcount=44) for the introduction. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/37 "2020-02-20T17:22:28Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Owaa tagoo samai > > I just say it over and over and over until I calm down. > > Try it! [Goosfraba](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWIcubkPaxo) ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/38 "2020-02-20T17:43:05Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I’ve had issues with low blood sugar, trouble breathing at night, dysregulated cortisol, thyroid issues, etc. and they all cause anxiety issues. When those get fixed the anxiety gets better. A mantra wouldn’t fix it. That’s a very limited view. I do have some physical issues that can cause anxiety, most notably lack of sleep. I work hard to have good sleep hygiene to ensure that I’m in the best condition to not experience anxiety. However, I have also found that a substantial part of my anxiety is purely psychological, and can be reduced by actively guiding my thoughts using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Many times I have experienced physical symptoms of anxiety (stomach pain, excessive sweating, etc.) and been able to make them go away by using CBT to change the way I am thinking. Everyone needs to find the techniques that work best for them, but thought exercises, including mantras can have real value and should not be dismissed as a valid approach to dealing with certain physical symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/39 "2020-02-20T19:32:27Z")
Deep breathing, emptying the mind. A dropperful of CBD oil often, though not always, dissipates anxiety in the middle of the night, trying to sleep when something you dread is on your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Dennis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@Brandon\_Dennis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brandon_Dennis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150/40 "2020-02-20T20:38:30Z")
“Stay cool and don’t panic”. Sometimes a mantra works immediately, but other times, I have to repeat it often during the day. Nevertheless, these words help me to prevent myself from despair. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-mantras-to-get-you-through-anxiety-panic-stress-despair-and-or-impending-doom/848150.md?page=3)