> Skip to content

Article  •  23 September 2020

 

Self-care Suggestions with Anxiety NZ

Inspired by DOT, Anxiety NZ asked their supporters to share some self-care tips that help them manage stress.

Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting your well being and happiness, particularly during periods of stress. 

Breathing exercises are a great self-care technique and can really work to manage stress. DOT is a beautiful little book that guides the reader through a breathing exercise and a dollar from the sale of every copy of DOT will be donated to Anxiety NZ. 

Check out some of the other ways Anxiety NZ supporters engage in self-care.

 

Nature

"I love going for a walk and looking for natural beauty . . . feeling refreshed by nature helps me to feel more positive and calm."

"Sitting by the water calms me"

"Just getting out for some fresh air!"

 

Create

"When I get anxious I paint. Painting instantly distracts my anxious mind as I'm having to focus on the art and not the thoughts. It gives me great relief, especially after some serious anxious days."

"Crochet and music, or reading"

 

Relax or Distract

"I try and meditate, but this can sometimes feel impossible when I get too anxious, so I turn to colouring or crosswords which physically distract me."

"Eating nourishing food and watching something funny."

"Laying on my bed and reading for half an hour"

Mindfulness

"I'm trying to put aside 10 minutes each day to do some mindfulness and breathing exercises, just to help me deal with everything."

"I try to practice my breathing and mindfulness daily."

"Deep breaths and some mindful yoga."

 

Move

"Going for a walk if I feel anxious does wonders for me."

"Heading out for a run!"

 

 

 

Feature Title

DOT
A little book to help anyone (big or small) take a moment and some nice, deep breaths.
Read more

More features

See all
Article
Good Books about Tough Topics

Figuring out how to talk to children about difficult emotions can sometimes feel impossible. Books can offer a good gateway to starting these conversations. Here are some books that might help you to navigate those tricky topics.

Article
Best crime books to gift this Christmas: 6 unforgettable reads

Discover the best crime books to gift this Christmas. From chilling thrillers to clever mysteries, these six page-turners will keep readers hooked.

Article
Eat Wild giveaway

As summer arrives, so does the joy of good food, great company, and time outdoors. To help you make the most of it, we’re giving away Eat Wild by Sophie Merkens (RRP $55) and an Ironclad 28cm Olive Leaf Satin Enamel Legacy Pan (RRP $250).

Article
The 14 most anticipated YA books of 2026

Check out the most anticipated YA books hitting shelves in 2026.

Article
A useful guide to the Jack Reacher books

Everything you need to know about the Jack Reacher books. Learn about Lee and Andrew Child, figure out which order to read them and quiz your Reacher knowledge.

Article
21 Christmas romance books to add to your TBR

In the mood for some romance this holiday season? Reach for one (or more) of these 21 Christmas romance books.

Article
Preparing for your kitten

Preparation is key before bringing your kitten home. I recommend doing this preparation at least a couple of weeks before you get your kitten.

Article
QUIZ: What kind of mullet are you?

Take this quiz to find out what type of mullet you are, in honour of Nick Sharratt’s book, Mullets.

Article
Booker Prize shortlist 2025

The shortlist for the 2025 Booker Prize has been announced, with four Penguin Random House titles named this year.

Article
Your guide to Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series

Here’s what you need to know about Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series – including which order to read the books!

Article
Poison or pasta sauce? A guide to New Zealand's edible weeds

Becky, our Penguin NZ Director, shares 5 ways to use 5 edible weeds she found in her garden with the help of Andrew Crowe's Edible Weeds Handbook!

Article
10 black cat boyfriends from must-read books

It’s official: the internet has dubbed Conrad Fisher a ‘black cat boyfriend’. Here are a few other black cat book boyfriends to keep you swooning.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles