Anxiety is relentless. It creeps in during quiet moments, lingers in the background of daily life, and sometimes, it just won’t let go. But as overwhelming as it can be, people have found countless ways to manage it—some science-backed, some deeply personal, and some just plain funny.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked the Facebook audience, “What do you do that completely obliterates your anxiety?” and the responses poured in—over 1,800 in total. While many admitted that anxiety never fully disappears, people shared the habits, tricks, and unexpected methods that help them push through.
From exercise to music to screaming into the void, here are 14 of the best anxiety-busting hacks.
Two people enjoying a walk through the woods
1. Nature therapy
"I walk in nature. Sometimes it doesn’t completely fix it, but it always helps." — Julie N.
"Being surrounded by trees is the BEST!" — Brenda L. M.
"I row at sunrise." — Mary Ellen R.
2. Furry friends to the rescue
"I take my energetic Australian Shepherd for a walk. He experiences pure joy in every moment, and it’s contagious." — Erin G. B.
"Snuggle with my dog. His unconditional love is my safe space." — Kathy M. T.
"Cuddle my parrot. She’s my little therapist." — Sandy D.
A woman pets her dogCanva
3. Creative outlets
"I knit and listen to classic rock. It’s my happy place." — Ann M. R.
"I paint with watercolors while listening to music. It’s like meditation, but with color." — Susan F. R.
"I play my bass or drums. It’s impossible to worry when I’m making music." — Melissa E.
4. Movement as medicine
"I run. I hate it, but nothing clears my head quite like it." — Scott C.
"Jam out to music and jump on my trampoline. It’s like shaking the anxiety out of my body." — Ashly S.
"Yoga and meditation. They ground me when my mind is racing." — Nancy M.
5. Baking and cleaning therapy
"I bake something that makes the house smell good. It’s like a hug for my senses." — Becky M.-L.
"Cleaning honestly. Making order from chaos soothes me." — Sandy D.
"I organize junk drawers. Chaos outside, calm inside." — Suz S.
6. Music as a mood lifter
"Music. Every time. Hasn’t failed me yet." — Suzanne W.
"I listen to ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd. It’s my go-to reset button." — Andy M.
"I get in my car, turn on the music, and drive. It’s my escape." — Melanie S.
A woman stands in front of a window listening to musicCanva
7. Laughter and distraction
"I watch cat videos. No explanation needed." — Sande H.
"I watch Korean dramas. When I’m reading subtitles, my mind can’t obsess." — Lisa B. F.
"I randomly scream into the void. Also, tacos." — Lisa M.
8. Honest truths about anxiety
"Nothing obliterates it. It’s like living with cancer. But for an hour, I can sink into a hot bath and rest." — Dana D.
"Anxiety is a brain lie. I challenge it to see if it’s real or just unhelpful noise." — Katharine G. Z.
"I don’t watch the news. It’s my way of protecting my peace." — Sharron L.
9. Unexpected hacks
"I trim plants and pull weeds. There’s something about dirt and sunshine that heals me." — Paula R.
"I count my breaths. Inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four." — Katie G.
"Do things that activate the left hemisphere of my brain, like listening to uplifting music ... things that activate the right hemisphere of my brain in a positive way, like guided imagery." — Lori T.
10. The power of perspective
"I remind myself that this moment won’t matter in a year. Perspective is everything." — Nissar A.
"I dwell in memories of the most peaceful place I’ve ever been. It’s like a mental vacation." — Cathy G. M.
"I tell myself my brain just has too much juice flowing. Hydration helps!" — Ann B. S.
11. Community and connection
"I cook and bake for my neighbors. Sharing food is my way of showing love." — Keo R. G.
"I talk to my kids. Their laughter is my reset button." — Beverly T. S.
"I call a funny friend or relative. Laughter is the best medicine." — Adeline E.
A group of people sit around a circle talkingCanva
12. The little things that add up
"I take a bath with amazing scented products. Then I put on cozy jammies. Instant calm." — Kimberly F. C.
"I browse thrift stores. It’s like a treasure hunt for my soul." — Linda S.
"I watch birds. There’s something so peaceful about their simplicity." — Mira T. K.
13. Medication without shame
"Xanax. My anxiety is pretty bad." — Lori Anne S.
"Effexor changed my life. Truly. A miracle." — Fern M. D.
"I’m cautious with medication, but sometimes it’s necessary. No shame in that." — Karen A.
14. The ultimate reset: Sleep
"Sleep. When I’m asleep, I don’t feel anxiety." — Linda M.
"I take stress naps. Sometimes, the world can wait." — Lisa M.
"A solid night’s sleep without wine or melatonin is my reset button." — Kristina B.
A woman sleeping in bedCanva
Anxiety is a pretty universal experience, but there are a variety of ways we can try to cope. Whether it's a walk with music or simply washing dishes, there’s a hack out there for everyone.
This article originally appeared earlier this year.
An elderly man walks down an icy roadCanva 
An elderly man grilling at a partyCanva
Representative Image: Making pizzas for hungry people. Pexels I Photo by Jvxhn Visuals
Representative Image Source: Pexels I Photo by Polina Tankilevitch
Representative Image: Is there anything better than pepperoni? Pexels I Photo by Pixabay
"This story made my whole night better." Reddit I 
Woman proudly displays an "I Voted" stickerCanva
A woman's ear with multiple piercingsCanva
A woman takes a bit out of a huge strawberry cakeCanva
The back of a woman's head with silver hair. Canva
A woman watches the sunset from her carCanva
A nurse holds a clipboard in a hospital hallwayCanva
A heavily-tattooed woman holds a mug of coffeeCanva
Stressed out man at workCanva
Stressed employee takes a break from workCanva
Overhead shot of three employees sharing a deskCanva
A pile of cashCanva
A pregnant woman clutches her bellyCanva
An eviction noticeCanva
Supportive Reddit comment Reddit | 
A gavel rests in front of a judgeCanva
Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first woman to run for president of the United States in 1872rce Harvard Art Museum/Fogg Museum, Historical Photographs and Special Visual Collections Department, Fine Arts Library via 
Suffragists matching for women's right to vote in the early 20th centuryCanva
Amazon fulfillment centerCanva
A worker transports a heavy boxCanva
Female shopper looking for help
21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.