Scare the Stress Away

Staff Picks for Staying Grounded

"When I feel overwhelmed, I use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. It brings me back to the present moment and helps me manage my anxiety."

"When you're feeling overwhelmed, try this simple grounding technique. Take a moment to tune into your immediate surroundings, and sensations you notice in and around your body. Notice what you can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. This practice can help bring you back into the present and create a sense of calm."

“My favorite skill is the progressive muscle relaxation technique. It involves tensing a part of your body as you breathe in, and relaxing as you breathe out, moving upwards from your toes to your head. This skill can help with overwhelm, anxiety, or just falling asleep!”

“When I need help grounding or handling big emotions, I like to create lists. If I'm especially overwhelmed, I may choose something simple like states or fruit. If I'm feeling only a little anxious but need to focus, I'll go for something that requires more brain power like cities in Greece or bodies of water I've swam in. If I can't handle either of these options, I will just name the things I can currently see in my space.”

"My go to coping skill is rainbow. I use this anytime I am feeling overwhelmed or having a hard time focusing." To use rainbow, you scan your area to find and describe an object for each color of the rainbow. It’s awesome for anywhere, including driving time.