Try some of these tools if you feel anxious, or stressed. Find out what works for you.

Grounding technique

If your mind is racing this technique uses your five senses to help bring you back to the here and now:

  • Name five things you can see
  • Name four things you can touch
  • Name three things you can hear
  • Name two things you can smell
  • Name one thing you can taste

Write things down

Write down all the things that are worrying you. Pick three that you can tackle. Write a quick action plan for each. Decide if other people can help you and what your next steps will be.

Concentrate on one task

Find one thing that you can do now: put the kettle on, go for a short walk, put on calming music, or do a simple domestic task. Focus completely on the task, talking yourself through each step. Be aware of what is happening – such as the sound of the music, people walking past or the noise the iron makes. Try counting the sounds you can hear.

Relaxation breathing

This breathing technique works by slowing down your
breathing to help you relax.

  1. Sit comfortably in a chair if possible.
  2. Put your feet flat on the floor.
  3. Shoulders down and jaw loose.
  4. Back straight.
  5. Loosen clothes around your stomach area if
    convenient.
  6. Breathe in through your nose rather than your
    mouth.
  7. Breathe in to count of two, hold for a second and
    then breathe out to count of four. Breathe out
    smoothly and steadily.
  8. Repeat twice and then relax and carry on with
    whatever you were doing.

Breathing should be more obviously from the stomach, not the chest, as your lungs expand and push your tummy outwards. To check you are doing it right put one hand just above your stomach and one on the chest. Try to keep the top hand fairly still. Only the bottom hand should move a lot as your lungs expand.

STOP technique

This quick technique can help you let go of anxieties and feel calmer.

  1. Say ‘STOP’ firmly to yourself.
  2. Breathe out fully.
  3. Drop your shoulders and
    unclench your hands.
  4. Count slowly from five down to
    one.
  5. Take a moment.
  6. Repeat if needed. Carry on
    with what you were doing, if
    possible.