When stress takes hold of your brain, it is difficult to find an escape. One thought spirals into a million, and all of the sudden you are lost in a maze of your own thought. Finding and using healthy coping mechanisms is important to living life to the fullest, without stress and anxiety.

Thought spirals can be scary and entrapping, but there is an escape. First, remember to breathe. This is a simple step we do everyday, but it is surprisingly simple to forget. Set a hand on your stomach and feel your stomach inflate as you breath in. Then let your hand fall as you breathe out.

This next exercise is called grounding. When you get lost in a thought spiral, it is important to pull yourself out. A good way to do this is to become aware of your surroundings. It will distract you from the maze in your head and bring you back into focus.

Start by closing your eyes, if you can. Think of five things that you saw in the room before you closed your eyes. Take a breath. Think of four things you can feel (chair on your back, shoes on your feet, etc). Take a breath. Think of 3 things you can hear (shuffling in a chair, someone talking in the next room, etc.) Take a breath. Think of two things you can smell, or two things you like the smell of. Take a breath. Open your eyes and try to find one thing you have not noticed yet.

If you’ve tried every tactic you can think of and nothing is working, exit the situation. Get up, grab the pass and leave. Go to the bathroom and splash water on your face, or go sit in the chapel for a few minutes. Your health is important, and your teachers understand if you have to miss a few minutes of class.

Having long-term tactics is also very important. Everyone is different, so coping mechanisms will be too. It is important to find something that works for you, and to try out different things until one works. Some people journal, draw or exercise. It always helps to have a place that is for you and only you. Clean out a corner of your room, make it as cozy as you can and use this space at the end of the day to destress. Keep it clean and cover the surrounding walls in posters and decorations that make you happy.

Your health is important, and mental health is just as important as anything else. Coping mechanisms are essential to keep your headspace clear and healthy. It is more than okay to take a minute every once in awhile to pull yourself out of the maze.