All posts by Joan Y Edwards

Joan Y. Edwards is author/illustrator of folktale Flip Flap Floodle, a happy little duck who never gives up on his song even in the Mr. Fox's belly. She is author of 4RV Publishing's Joan's Elder Care Guide. It is full of practical hints and resources to promote healing and make caregiving easier. She has published 80 Gospel-Based Crossword Puzzles for Year A, B, and C. She has a Master of Education. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Charlotte Writers Club. She enjoys watching humorous mysteries, like Columbo and Monk. Time at home, beach and mountain with family and friends energizes her..

5-4-3-2-1De-Stress and Ground Yourself

woman anxious with no support
Thank you, Priscilla du Preez and Unsplash for allowing me to use your photo.

“5-4-3-2-1  De-Stress qnd Ground Yourself” by Joan Y. Edwards

It seems there are many things that take your personal peace away from you. There are many situations in our world that make you anxious. To break out of the cycle of anxiety, you may have to confront your fears. Doing that may be very stressful. So full of stress that you don’t even want to think about the problems you are facing. But you think about them. You worry about them. They don’t go away.

I searched online last month during one of those moments when I got stressed out to the maximum…little things, big things, unusual things, weird things, sad things. I found this technique: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Calming Technique. It worked for me. Then when I was doing it, I got confused about how many to find for each sense. So I started naming 5 for each one. In that case, it would be called: 5, 5, 5, 5, 5!

Perhaps it will work for you. There are several videos and explanations. Dr. Elisha Goldstein said, “”Shift your focus…where your focus goes that’s where your energy flows and your brain grows.” Here’s a link to his video which I think explains the technique best: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBHilnPYGI/ I hope it helps you. Shifting your focus is what helps lessen your stress.

Use eyes to see 5 things around you.
Use eyes to see 5 things around you.

 

Name 5 things you can see. You can also note the color, shape, or size.

one hand
Hand. Use your hand to touch and name four things you can feel.

Name 4 things that you can feel. Touch 4 things. Note the texture or  temperature:  The texture of your sweater. The smoothness of your skin.  The coldness of ice.  Sharpness of the wind in your face.

two ears, side by side
Use your ears. Listen and name 3 sounds.

Name 3 things you can hear:

(high pitch, low pitch, soft, loud) birds chirping, people talking, noises, chatter, hum, banging, music, harsh grating sounds. Dishwasher singing. Dog barking.

Nose is used to smell.
Use your nose. Name 2 things you can smell.

Name 2 things you can smell. Perfume, flowers, food cooking.

Mouth to taste
Use mouth to taste.

1 thing that you can taste.

I hope this method helps you be calmer.

Naming 10 things you are thankful to God and others also lessens stress and anxiety.  In his book “What Happy People Know,” Dan Baker argues that you can’t be in a state of appreciation and fear, or anxiety, at the same time. The amygdala, the fear center of the brain isn’t able to work as well during times when we are actively appreciating things, people, and situations. A spirit of thankfulness keeps anxiety downsized.  It at least changes your focus. You change your focus. You change your emotions. If you are negative minded and your start thinking about all the things you are thankful for. For those brief moments, you have changed your focus on the positive. It makes way for more good thoughts. These good thoughts times may bring about solutions to keep the bad thoughts and situations from increasing and may help some of them disappear. Or at least help you manage them so you are not so overwhelmed by them..

Here is a link to a video from Therapist Aid called “Deep Breathing Exercises:” https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-video/deep-breathing-exercise.  These deep-breathing techniques may also help you de-stress. Taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly helps you center your mind and calm your emotions.

References:
1. Dr. Elisha Goldstein: “5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBHilnPYGI
2. Boys and Girls Club Denver. “5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique PDF:” https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=5-4-3-2-1+grounding+technique+pdf 
3. Therapist Aid.com. “Deep Breathing Exercise (video) https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-video/deep-breathing-exercise.
4. Therapist Aid.com/ “Cycle of Anxiety” (video): https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-video/cycle-of-anxiety-video

Please leave a comment. Share what works to help calm your nerves and your mind. I love hearing from you.

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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2024 Joan Y. Edwards

 Flip Flap Floodle Firebird Book Award Winner Will this little duck’s song save him from Mr. Fox?

Copyright 2016 Aidana Willow-Raven and 4RV Publishing

Joan’s Elder Care Guide Practical ways to help you and your elder survive.