Covid-19 has put people around the world in a state of permanent anxiety. I have made a list of simple tricks that I’ve learned through therapy to deal with my anxiety.

Grounding is the process of getting much more acquainted with the world around you. Doing little things to remind yourself of where you are and what you are doing can help you to refocus your energy from the onset of destructive thoughts.

Here’s how you do this exercise

• Five things you can see in front of you
• Four things you can hear
• Three things you can touch
• Two things you can smell
• One thing you can taste

The purpose is to keep you focused long enough to avoid the onset of anxiety or panic. Another great tool that would be very accessible during quarantine is music. You can enjoy your favorite movies and music as much as you want. Try playing the same music or movies over again. Watching the same movie or listen to the same song continuously can provide a person with a sense of normalcy and a sense of comfort when the world around them seems like a crazy place. Scarlet Begonias by The Grateful Dead will always hold a special place as one of my anxiety coping tools.

Toys may seem like they’re just for kids; this could not be further from the truth when I told my therapist that my anxiety was keeping me up at night. She said that stuffed animals could sometimes be of use to an adult who has trouble sleeping. Most of the time, children are given a strict routine and a lot of comfort and stability. A reminder of your childhood could be just the trick for calming you down.

Comforting smells can be a calming tool. No worries about rushing out to buy a truckload of essential oils! Purchasing a bouquet of flowers, baking cookies, or wrapping yourself in a freshly washed blanket can be soothing.

And, most importantly, remember this too shall pass.