Focus your mind on something else

Distraction techniques may vary depending on individual interests.

Useful distraction techniques may include listening to music, spending time with friends or family, engaging in arts and crafts activities or utilising helpful apps on a smart device such as ‘Headspace’. 

Distraction techniques can be really helpful for short-term relief and during times of crisis.

Allowing yourself to get out of your head and into your body

Using the body’s senses such as smell, taste, sight and touch. For example using essential oils which have relaxing properties, such as lavender or allowing yourself to slowly taste your favourite food.

Grounding techniques can be really helpful in reducing some physical symptoms of anxiety.

Allowing yourself to ‘let it out’

Allow yourself to yell, scream, run and/ or cry.

This can allow you to release the pressures of feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

Allowing yourself to take care of YOU

Engage in self-care activities such preparing a special meal, having a relaxing bath or paint/ manicure your nails.

Self love re-enforces that we are worthy of self-care and taking time for ourselves.

Allowing yourself to challenge unhelpful thoughts

It can be helpful to write down a list of the negative thoughts you are experiencing and then identify the reasons why these thoughts may not be true.

Also allowing yourself to take the advice you would provide to someone you are close to if they voiced those thoughts.

Utilising thought challenge, can actually enable you to shift long-term negative thinking habits.