The Big Activity Book for Anxious People

Some activities are less effective than others, but I like the book.

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. It has become part of my daily routine. Some pages have activities such as crosswords or mazes. Others have coloring activities. Others have text. Because I enjoy coloring, when I read the pages that have just text, I color random designs on top of the text while repeating the calming information to myself. For instance, on the page about how safe airplanes are (which has literally reduced my anxiety about flying in planes), I drew circling colors. As someone with heavy experience with clinical treatment for my anxiety, I know that the info they provide is essentially the truth with a funny twist. The book really does make me laugh and reduces my anxiety a bit. I relate to sooooo much of what they talk about - the things I think about at 3am when I'm trying to sleep, the reasons that receiving letters in the mail is stressful, worries about getting old, types of therapy I've tried.... So much. As my therapist tells me, "Information reduces anxiety," and speaking feelings usually reduces them. This book "speaks" worries that I experience regularly, so I don't feel so trapped in my head with it, and it gives me information that either makes me laugh or reduces my anxiety. Pretty amazing. I recommend this to every single person with anxiety who enjoys working with paper.

The idea behind this book is GREAT. I loved the authors' sense of humor and intent. I bought it to keep my mind occupied just before planned surgery and for the two-week recovery period. I really enjoyed the puzzles (word searches, etc.) but they're hard (you're searching for multiple words together which is surprisingly harder than it sounds). And while several of the other pages made me laugh - including at myself for being so anxious - the 'activities' weren't really fun. So I put it down faster than I was expecting to. If you're looking for more puzzles, mazes, trivia question type quizzes to take your mind off of things this isn't a great fit. I personally think you'd be better off buying regular versions of those because you'll get more than a handful at a time within one book.

This book: fantastic. I've bought so many workbooks and coloring books that were supposed to ease or distract from or somehow otherwise manage my PTSD anxiety, with no result, I thought how different could this one be? But I liked the reviews so gave it a try. And laughed until tears were rolling down. I was gasping for air so hard I could barely read it to my husband, who was cracking up from the book as well as just watching me laugh. It's great and at the same time it's reassuring because pretty much everything I'm afraid of is mentioned, and even a few things I'm not (elbows. I had no idea that was an official phobia, but if I ever make it onto Jeopardy, well, now I know.)

Less of an actual activity book to help with anxiety and more of a very long out of touch buzzfeed article. The whole thing is just begging for laughs and less trying to help.

Love this book! I suffer from anxiety and even though I have the coping skills to "deal" with it - when it rears its head I do get set back a little bit - so I got this book thinking "ok it will give me something to do so I can be in the moment" but it is so much more!!! Its funny (makes me laugh out loud), creative, interesting, and reminds me that I am not the only person to feel anxiety and how horrible it can make you feel. So all I have to ask the authors is "Can you make a book for depression?"

Love this. I wish there were many different versions so I could buy them all!

I cannot say enough nice things about this book! I carry it with me whenever I travel (because I’m a bit of a nervous flyer), and it makes me laugh, engages my mind, and keeps me occupied. People near me always ask to see it! Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Useful also for people without anxiety to understand people with anxiety

If some stuff is funny and/or helpful, most of it isn't very soothing for me, anactually anxious person. Like a big black page with THE APOCALYPSE IS NIGH written in scary letters ? Really ? I bought it because I thought it could actually help me, but when I have high anxiety I'm a bit afraid to open it because I fear it might make me more anxious. Maybe that for some it's entertaining, but I don't find it very therapeutic.

Muy buen libro, para esas noches en las que no puedes dormir.

The Big Activity Book for Anxious People is one of those books that doesn’t try to “fix” you — it just meets you exactly where you are, with humour, honesty, and a whole lot of relatable prompts. It’s designed for people who deal with anxiety in all its everyday forms, and it manages to make the experience feel less isolating and a lot more human. The activities strike a great balance between playful and meaningful. Some pages are there to make you laugh, some to help you reflect, and others to give you a small, manageable task that nudges your brain out of its usual anxious loops. It’s not a clinical workbook, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it’s a creative outlet that helps you slow down, breathe, and engage with your thoughts in a gentler way. If you’re someone who deals with anxiety — whether occasionally or constantly — this book is a comforting, low‑pressure companion. It’s easy to pick up, easy to put down, and surprisingly grounding.

I’ve suggested this to anyone I know who struggles with anxiety. It’s a great way to distract yourself and have a good laugh at the same time while feeling anxious