What repetitive behaviours ACTUALLY help you cope?

[u/NumerousMarsupial804]

I always tend to cope with my anxiety with a range of semi-destructive or not the best behaviours.

As soon as I quit one habit, another crops up. It's been drinking, binge eating, emotional eating, overspending, online gambling, sleeping the days away, smoking, doomscrolling and some worse ones I won't put. I do my best to quit these, but then I'll find something new and it'll be the way I cope with quitting the old bad habits.

Neurotypical people and therapists recommend things like exercise or grounding techniques. I already exercise and try to generally take care of my sleep and diet.

I seem really functional on the outside and no one really knows how much I struggle with these things.

My question is: what are some real, actual things that you repeat and help alleviate your anxiety?

Please recommend me specific video games, hyperspecific rituals, or even things that aren't the best but maybe way less destructive.

I already do things like reading, crafting, etc but it just doesn't help.

[u/cleanhouz]

Moving my torso back and forth. It helps me pay attention and it is soothing. This is fairly new to me and there are plenty of things that I will not do in public, but this one feels socially acceptable so far.

Using my digital calendar for everything, down to routine weekly appointments and activities. It calms me to know that I will get a notification and won't mess things up.

I go to AA meetings regularly for community.