This topic is about finding ways to manage stress and cope with trauma, especially when preparing for a significant surgery. The person in question is dealing with anxiety due to an upcoming surgery to address a trapped bowel, and they are seeking practical exercises and techniques to help them feel more mentally prepared. Here are some helpful suggestions shared by others:

1. Walks in Nature
- Engage in daily walks, whether it's a mile-long stroll with a dog or a solo walk in the woods or on the beach. Focus on your senses to help calm your mind.
- Consider hiking on larger trails, like those in Glacier National Park, when you feel fit enough.

2. Keep Body & Mind Occupied
- Try activities like axe-throwing, spending time with a partner, or doing jigsaw puzzles to distract from anxious thoughts.

3. Chair Yoga & Yoga-Based Breath Work
- Explore free YouTube classes for chair yoga or full-body yoga, which combine gentle movements with controlled breathing. These can be adapted for those with limited mobility.
- Practice breath regulation to calm your nervous system and balance hormones.

4. Simple Breathing Pattern
- Use the 4-7-8 technique: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. Repeat until you feel less anxious or fall asleep.

5. Mindfulness & Meditation Resources
- Consider a Headspace subscription for guided meditation sessions.
- Practice Transcendental Meditation (TM) for daily relaxation.
- Try RAIN mindfulness, guided by Tara Brach, available for free on YouTube.
- Use sound-focused meditation to slow your breath and heart rate, especially in hospital settings.

6. Cognitive & Self-Compassion Tools
- Use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, like asking yourself, "What would I tell a loved one in this situation?"
- Keep a judgment-free journal to process your emotions.
- Read or listen to experts like Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk for insights on trauma.

7. "OOBER" Distraction Method
- Try the Out-Of-Body-Experience-Recorded technique to mentally step outside your body and reduce focus on stress.

8. Specialist Abdominal-Core Work
- Learn exercises like "ABD – thread-the-needle" from an abdominal therapy specialist to rebuild core strength after surgery.

9. Professional & Peer Support
- Schedule monthly visits with a psychologist, attend CBT sessions, or see trauma-informed counselors familiar with medical-procedure trauma.
- If professional help is delayed, practice self-counseling skills and lean on empathetic friends, pets, and supportive online communities.

10. Core Reminder
- Staying physically or mentally engaged is crucial to preventing stress from spiraling. Avoid "sitting around moping" to keep stress at bay.