The next time you're feeling anxious or stressed, here's a quick trick backed by psychologists:Â It's called the "5-4-3-2-1" trick, and it's all about helping you focus on the here and now.
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It's like meditation, but easier. The idea is to focus on your five senses instead of what's stressing you out. Here are the five steps . . .
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1. Think of five things you can SEE right now, and they can be anything. Like a tree, the sky, or even your own hands.
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2. Think of four things you can physically FEEL right now. Like your heartbeat, or how warm the sun is.
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3. Listen for three things you can HEAR. Like wind blowing, the traffic around you, or the sound of someone's voice.
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4. Think of two things you can SMELL right now. Things like coffee or fresh-cut grass are great . . . but unpleasant smells work too. It just has to be something around you.
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5. Focus on one thing you can TASTE. You can pop some gum in if you want. But even just licking your lips is fine.
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Doing all of them is supposed to shift your attention to your senses. So you should feel more focused on the present instead of what's been bothering you.Â
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(NY Post)