How to use Grounding Techniques.
Have you ever been minding your own business and all of a sudden, something sets you off; or that feeling of danger just looms over you, causing an anxiety attack? or you've found yourself unusually conscious of everything around you and sensory overload sets in? This is one of my favorite grounding techniques that you can do anywhere.
“Sensory overload is the overstimulation of one or more of the body's five senses, which are touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste." - Medical News Today
Grounding Yourself.
The first thing you want to do in any attack is recognize your trigger. If possible, remove yourself from the situation and let yourself take a moment to breathe and calm down. If you can't get out, or you're still struggling, one technique often used that I found useful is the 5-4-3-2-1 Method.
This technique forces you to notice the world around you and remind yourself of your safety, and what's real. Start from 5 and use your senses to list the things around you and bring your anxiety down. You can start with what you hear and find 5 things around you. Then 4 things you can see, 3 you can feel, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste. Take this moment to notice things you may not have before, and don't forget to breathe and remember that everything is okay around you.
There is no shame in having anxiety. If you feel it's necessary, seek professional help because your health matters.
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