So, here's what I'd like to have heard N years ago: try medidation (in the eastern philosophy sense). Of course, at its root meditation is just 'sitting still' (and not doing anything else); there are many things that could go in your mind while you sit still.
Or simply set aside a sacred time block where you'll do nothing but think about what you will do for the day.
Meditation lets you clear your mind of anxiety, at least for a moment (and I find this moment is extended until you can become much less anxious all the time). It lets you get face to face with anxiety and understand why you're anxious. Or why you're avoiding something (like doing chores, your work or your homework), and then you can work to address those whys -- it could be moving to a different job or simply joyfully accepting your situation. I recommend the Zen tradition simply because it's the one I'm most familiar with.
Here are some suggestions for a meditation routine: (not exactly Zen meditation I believe, I've modified it a little)
(1) Start by breathing and focus on your breath;
(2) Scan your body and see if there's anything different or painful or uncomfortable; (I mean you whole body! every muscle that you know of, if you can) also take the opportunity to relax every muscle; be aware of your environment.
(3) After you're relaxed, spend some time clearing your mind. If anything comes to mind, "archive it", like saving it to disk and freeing your RAM. Try to make your mind a peaceful, clean slate, like a still water lake.
(4) Process whatever you're feeling uncomfortable about -- camly invite and embrace your fears and anxieties, understand where they come from, let them be felt, and then you can think clearly how to address them, without anxiety, fear or suffering.
(5) (Optional) Reflect on what you've accomplished and what you need to accomplish in the near term. How do those relate to the world and the most social good.
(6) Come out of meditation, slowly. Take a deep breath and resume your day.
During this, sometimes I keep my eyes closed, half closed, or fully open (but not wandering, concentrated in a single point). This requires a large amount of concentration, and I believe you will improve your overall ability to focus with this practice. Feel free to ask questions and add suggestions :)
edit: Another important teaching I got from (secular) Buddhism is to be realistic, attuned to reality (rationalism is a great resource as well). That includes the realism of your goals. Having unrealistic goals can make you really anxious and get in your way of doing anything at all. That doesn't mean you can improve; but for example tiny bits of realistic progress can be wonders for getting a project done, compared to unrealistic expectations of being active 100% of the time. Binges and distractions come when the reality of your limited stamina or simply rate of thinking clashes with your unrealistic expectations. Relaxing, resting, can be a healthy and necessary part of your routine, without unnecessary self-hatred and suffering.
Or simply set aside a sacred time block where you'll do nothing but think about what you will do for the day.
Meditation lets you clear your mind of anxiety, at least for a moment (and I find this moment is extended until you can become much less anxious all the time). It lets you get face to face with anxiety and understand why you're anxious. Or why you're avoiding something (like doing chores, your work or your homework), and then you can work to address those whys -- it could be moving to a different job or simply joyfully accepting your situation. I recommend the Zen tradition simply because it's the one I'm most familiar with.
Here are some suggestions for a meditation routine: (not exactly Zen meditation I believe, I've modified it a little)
(1) Start by breathing and focus on your breath;
(2) Scan your body and see if there's anything different or painful or uncomfortable; (I mean you whole body! every muscle that you know of, if you can) also take the opportunity to relax every muscle; be aware of your environment.
(3) After you're relaxed, spend some time clearing your mind. If anything comes to mind, "archive it", like saving it to disk and freeing your RAM. Try to make your mind a peaceful, clean slate, like a still water lake.
(4) Process whatever you're feeling uncomfortable about -- camly invite and embrace your fears and anxieties, understand where they come from, let them be felt, and then you can think clearly how to address them, without anxiety, fear or suffering.
(5) (Optional) Reflect on what you've accomplished and what you need to accomplish in the near term. How do those relate to the world and the most social good.
(6) Come out of meditation, slowly. Take a deep breath and resume your day.
During this, sometimes I keep my eyes closed, half closed, or fully open (but not wandering, concentrated in a single point). This requires a large amount of concentration, and I believe you will improve your overall ability to focus with this practice. Feel free to ask questions and add suggestions :)
edit: Another important teaching I got from (secular) Buddhism is to be realistic, attuned to reality (rationalism is a great resource as well). That includes the realism of your goals. Having unrealistic goals can make you really anxious and get in your way of doing anything at all. That doesn't mean you can improve; but for example tiny bits of realistic progress can be wonders for getting a project done, compared to unrealistic expectations of being active 100% of the time. Binges and distractions come when the reality of your limited stamina or simply rate of thinking clashes with your unrealistic expectations. Relaxing, resting, can be a healthy and necessary part of your routine, without unnecessary self-hatred and suffering.