As a Londoner it's pretty impossible to avoid the tube and for some people (like myself) the tube can trigger anxiety and panic. My tube anxiety is quite hit and miss, but more often than not I would rather not be on it and have to find ways to calm myself down. As I'm sure there are many people who have a similar sense of unease when on the tube, I've decided to write a small list of ways to help make the tube feel more comfortable.
1) Always carry water.
For me this doesn't just apply to the tube, but everywhere as without it I get pretty stressed. Drinking water is just a healthy habit to have and a great way to calm anxiety. It's the quickest way to get oxygen into the body and when in a claustrophobic space like the tube this can work as a soothing thought and remedy for those panicky fears.
2) Read a book.
I find burying yourself in a book, whatever kind that grips your attention, is a great way to distract yourself from the people around you and the anxiety you're feeling. Remember it's worth using a book as a form of escapism and that it usually won't be for too long as the tube is so fast!
3) Headphones.
Personally hearing people on public transport really irritates me (I know, typical anti social Londoner right?), so wherever I go I ensure I have headphones on me. If reading doesn't appeal to you, podcasts might or just listening to music. If I'm in a good mood I like to listen to upbeat music that matches the motion of the tube; I guess this is an attempt to make the best out of an uncomfortable situation. But if I'm feeling particularly anxious and panicky then I choose to listen to soothing music or even a short guided meditation. Grounding yourself in the situation can be a useful technique in remaining calm and remembering that everything is ok.
4) Food.
Another good way to cope with a stressful journey is to have some food. Whether it be a chocolate bar or a banana it can be comforting knowing that you've got some energy on hand and that you won't faint or anything dramatic like that.
5) Getting off.
Worst comes to worse if you're having a really tough time getting through a journey, remember you can always get off. There are other routes and less busy times so if you really need to then you can leave. Sometimes even recognizing that that's an option is calming as you know there isn't that long between each stop and you're able to make the choice to stay or leave.
6) Reward yourself.
Every time I leave the tube after really really hating it (which isn't always but on occasion it's really stressful) I give myself a little reward. That could be treating myself to a nice lunch or going for a stroll off route just to reground myself in my surroundings.
The tube doesn't have to be stressful and probably isn't for a lot of people, however we all have good days and bad days and I think it's important to have a few techniques in mind to ease the journey and calm the anxiety of it all.
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