5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — a simple grounding exercise to calm anxiety — Calm Blog (2024)

Written By Calm Editorial Team

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — a simple grounding exercise to calm anxiety — Calm Blog (2)

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA

Anxiety derailing your day? Get to know the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 grounding method — a simple exercise for calming the mind that can alleviate anxiety in minutes.

In an unpredictable world, it's easy to get caught up in stress and anxiety. Grounding techniques offer a practical way to pull your focus back from what's worrying you and return you to the present moment. They're especially helpful for calming the body's fight-or-flight response and achieving a more balanced state of mind.

Why are grounding techniques helpful?

Stress and anxiety have become common, almost daily, experiences for most of us. Between work deadlines, social responsibilities, and life's uncertainties, it's no wonder many of us feel on edge. That's why learning effective ways to calm your mind in stressful situations is so essential for maintaining your mental health.

This is where grounding techniques come into play. By shifting your attention from unsettling thoughts to the here and now, these exercises provide quick relief from anxiety and contribute to your overall mental wellbeing.

💙 If you’re struggling with anxiety, try our series on Overcoming Stress and Anxiety.

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 grounding technique

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique is one of the easiest mindfulness strategies designed for managing stress and anxiety, as it can be done almost anywhere and at any time. It’s also one of the most effective. Using the fives sense to ground you in the present moment, this is how it works.

5 | Name 5 things you can see

Take a moment to spot five things in your immediate environment. Whether it's a basic office chair or a cherished family photo, the goal is to really see the details—like color, form, and texture. By diverting your focus to your sense of sight, you disrupt the cycle of anxious or stressful thoughts.

4 | Name 4 things you can hear

Close your eyes and listen to the ambient noises around you. They could be anything from a fan humming to birds singing, or people talking in the distance. Identifying these sounds helps steer your mind away from inward worries and more toward the world around you, anchoring you in the present moment.

3 | Name 3 things you can feel

Concentrate on the sense of touch to further ground yourself. Become aware of three things you can feel. They could be the fabric of your clothes against your skin, the texture of an item you're holding, or the solidity of the floor under your feet.

2 | Name 2 things you can smell

Take a deep breath and identify two distinct smells around you. They could be the welcoming aroma of fresh coffee or the clean scent of hand soap. Tuning into these smells helps shift your focus from looping thoughts to your immediate surroundings, reinforcing your connection to the present moment.

1 | Name 1 thing you can taste

Finally, focus on your sense of taste. You might want to take a sip of water,, or simply focus on the lingering flavor of toothpaste in your mouth. Centering on this final sense completes the cycle and firmly brings you back to the present moment.

💙 Try the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique as a guided meditation with Tamara Levitt.

How the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique works

More than just a quick fix, the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique is a mindfulness exercise that can help you get a handle on your state of mind, especially when dealing with social anxiety or situations where you need to calm down quickly. The beauty of this method lies in its ability to shift your focus and engage your senses, helping you to relax.

Calms the nervous system

When you experience stress or anxiety, your body's fight or flight system is activated, releasing hormones like adrenaline. This state of hyper-alertness is evolutionary but not always beneficial in modern life. The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique works by counteracting the fight or flight response, bringing your nervous system back to a more balanced state.

💙 Try Sigh of Relief to help regulate your nervous system.

Can offer supportive to those with PTSD

Navigating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be incredibly difficult, but grounding techniques provide potential relief.

Disclaimer: While helpful, the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique isn't the only tool that people experiencing PTSD should rely on. If you are dealing with severe post-traumatic stress, please reach out to your healthcare provider to ensure you receive proper clinical care or therapeutic support.

💙 Feeling panicked? Try this guided practice.

Aids with panic and stress management

Stress often occurs due to a focus on past regrets or future worries. This exercise serves as an effective stress management tool, forcing your mind to focus on the present moment. The technique is easy to remember and doesn't require any special equipment, making it accessible anytime you need to manage stress.

💙 Try SOS Breath Work if you find yourself in a panicked state.

Can ease social anxiety

Social situations can often be overwhelming and may trigger social anxiety. Using the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique helps to ground and calm you, enabling you to be more present in social interactions.

💙 Explore Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship if you’re struggling with social anxiety.

Assists with grounding

Besides its immediate calming effects, practicing the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique regularly can improve your overall emotional regulation and make you feel more grounded during a multitude of situations in life. This is because the exercise empowers you to take control of your mental state so you feel confident to confront and handle emotional challenges.

💙 Try Pump the Brakes on Stress with Jay Shetty.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 exercise for anxiety FAQs

What is the 54321 method?

The 54321 (or 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) method is a grounding exercise designed to manage acute stress and reduce anxiety. It involves identifying 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. By doing so, it helps shift your focus from anxiety-provoking thoughts to the present moment.

What is the 5-sense method?

The 5-sense method is essentially another name for the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique. It leverages the power of your five senses—sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste—to redirect your attention away from distressing thoughts and emotions. By focusing on sensory experiences, the method aims to ground you in the here and now.

Why does the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 coping technique work?

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method works because it engages multiple senses, requiring you to concentrate on the present environment rather than dwell on anxiety-inducing thoughts. This interrupts the fight or flight response, calming the nervous system and reducing symptoms of anxiety or stress almost immediately. Moreover, it can serve as the first step toward long-term coping strategies for mental wellness.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?

The 3-3-3 rule is another grounding technique aimed at reducing anxiety. In this method, you identify 3 things you can see, 3 things you can touch, and then take 3 deep breaths. While it’s less comprehensive than the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method, it serves a similar purpose—providing quick relief from acute anxiety by refocusing your attention on the present moment. In the end, choose whatever method works best for you.

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RegularlySometimesRarelyNever

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` if (contentWrapperRow && contentWrapperCol) { contentWrapperCol.classList.add('cutoff') contentWrapperRow.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', cutoffBtnHtml); cutoffBtn = contentWrapperRow.querySelector('.cutoff__btn__btn'); cutoffBtn.addEventListener('click', () => { contentWrapperCol.classList.remove('cutoff') cutoffBtn.parentElement.remove() if (typeof amplitude != 'undefined') { amplitude.track('Blog : Continue Reading : Clicked', eventProperties); } }) } } // Paragraphs seen, continue reading button seen const paras = document.querySelectorAll('.blog-item-content p'); const pFirst = paras[0] const pMiddle = paras[Math.round(paras.length / 2)] const pLast = paras[paras.length - 2] const eventStops = { first: false, middle: false, last: false, cutoff: false } function throttle(fn, wait) { var time = Date.now(); return function() { if ((time + wait - Date.now()) < 0) { fn(); time = Date.now(); } } } function isInViewport(element, eventKey) { if (element) { var bounding = element.getBoundingClientRect(); if ( bounding.top >= 0 && bounding.left >= 0 && bounding.right <= (window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth) && bounding.bottom <= (window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight) && !eventStops[eventKey] ) { eventStops[eventKey] = true return true; } } } const sendEvents = order => { if (order === 'cutoff') { dataLayer.push({'event': 'continue_reading_seen'}) if (typeof amplitude != 'undefined') amplitude.track('Blog : Continue Reading : Seen', eventProperties); } else { dataLayer.push({'event': `${order}_paragraph`}) if (typeof amplitude != 'undefined') amplitude.track(`Blog : Article Scroll : ${capitalizeFirstLetter(order)} Paragraph`, eventProperties); } } const checkParaSendEvent = () => { if (isInViewport(pFirst, 'first')) sendEvents('first'); if (isInViewport(pMiddle, 'middle')) sendEvents('middle'); if (isInViewport(pLast, 'last')) sendEvents('last'); if (isInViewport(cutoffBtn, 'cutoff')) sendEvents('cutoff') } const capitalizeFirstLetter = (string) => { return string.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + string.slice(1); } window.addEventListener('scroll', throttle(checkParaSendEvent, 150)) // Topic Targeted App Audio Track CTAs const ctaToReplace = document.querySelectorAll('img[src*="try-calm-for-free.png"]')[0] const appAudioData = [ { title: 'sleep_quality', html: `

5 tools you need to sleep better tonight

  • Improve your sleep with these science-backed tips
  • From neuroscientist and sleep expert, Dr. Matthew Walker
  • Bite-sized audio lessons for long-term results

Sleep Better

Easy Tips for Better Sleep

Dr. Mathew Walker Neuroscientist and Sleep Expert
  • Don't Try, and Don't Worry! 4 min
  • Your Sleep Type 5 min
  • Sleep and Your Mood 4 min
  • Your Sleep Environment 4 min
  • Sleeping with Your Phone 4 min

Sleep Better

`, urls: ['/blog/vivid-dreams','/blog/how-to-prevent-nightmares','/blog/why-dont-i-remember-my-dreams','/blog/stress-dreams','/blog/waking-up-tired','/blog/how-to-get-more-deep-sleep','/blog/how-to-get-over-jet-lag','/blog/sleep-anxiety','/blog/screen-time-before-bed'] }, { title: 'grounding', html: `

Get grounded in three minutes

  • Calm your body and mind using your breath
  • From former monk and bestselling author, Jay Shetty
  • Short audio practice to help you find balance

Calm Your Mind

Jay Shetty Author, Coach, Former Monk

Calm Your Mind

`, urls: ['/blog/5-4-3-2-1-a-simple-exercise-to-calm-the-mind','/blog/how-to-stop-intrusive-thoughts','/blog/box-breathing','/blog/driving-anxiety','/blog/grounding-techniques','/blog/how-to-stop-overthinking'] }, { title: 'fall_asleep', html: `

Ready to fall asleep with ease tonight?

  • Quiet your mind and body using this guided exercise
  • From mindfulness specialist Chibs Okereke
  • Soothing audio session to unwind into sleep

Get To Sleep

Chibs Okereke Mindfulness Instructor

Get To Sleep

`, urls: ['/blog/racing-thoughts-at-night','/blog/why-do-i-keep-waking-up-at-3am','/blog/breathing-exercises-for-sleep'] }, { title: 'work_stress', html: `

How to beat work stress & burnout like a boss

  • Relieve stress and anxiety quickly during the workday
  • From stress and burnout specialist, Chibs Okereke
  • Short exercises to help you find your calm

Take a Break

Quick Breaks

Chibs Okereke Mindfulness Instructor
  • Managing Overwhelm 5 min
  • 60 Second Reboot 1 min
  • Step Away From the Computer 4 min
  • Let's Unplug 4 min

Take a Break

`, urls: ['/blog/how-to-recover-from-burnout','/blog/beat-burnout','/blog/sunday-scaries'] }, { title: 'sleep_sounds', html: `

The music you need for better sleep

  • Get more restful sleep with delta wave music
  • Produced with Binaural Beats, scientifically shown to enhance sleep
  • 8 hours of music for deep sleep

Get Deep Sleep

Delta Waves for Deep Sleep

Curated by experts at Calm
  • Halting Thoughts (Delta 145 Hz - 147 Hz) 60 min
  • Slow Release (Delta Binaural) 60 min
  • Careful Mind (Delta 83 Hz - 84 Hz) 60 min
  • Calm Body (Delta Binaural) 59 min

Get Deep Sleep

`, urls: ['/blog/what-is-green-noise','/blog/sounds-to-help-you-sleep','/blog/best-music-to-fall-asleep-to'] }, { title: 'anxiety', html: `

The 11 anti-anxiety tools you need in your life

  • Relieve anxiety with these game-changing tools
  • From clinical psychologist & online educator, Dr. Julie Smith
  • Bite-sized audio sessions for long-term relief

Overcome Anxiety

Overcome Stress and Anxiety

Dr. Julie Smith Clinical Psychologist and Educator
  • Calm Your Heart with Deeper Breaths 3 min
  • Challenge Your Negative Thoughts 4 min
  • Guided Breathing to Release Tension 10 min
  • Distance Yourself From Anxious Thoughts 5 min
  • Create Emotional Safety 4 min

Overcome Anxiety

`, urls: ['/blog/panic-attack-vs-anxiety-attack','/blog/how-to-calm-anxiety-attack','/blog/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety','/blog/feeling-anxious-for-no-reason','/blog/flight-anxiety-tips','/blog/affirmations-for-anxiety'] }, { title: 'relationships', html: `

How to cultivate happier and healthier relationships

  • Strengthen your connections (even during conflict)
  • From the Head of Mindfulness at Calm
  • 12 audio sessions to create lasting change

Improve Your Relationships

Relationships with Others Series

Tamara Levitt Head of Mindfulness at Calm
  • Nurturing Relationships 10 min
  • Holding Space 10 min
  • Listening 10 min
  • Boundaries 10 min
  • Empathy 10 min

Improve Your Relationships

`, urls: ['/blog/how-to-overcome-social-anxiety','/blog/questions-to-ask-to-get-to-know-someone','/blog/taking-a-break-in-a-relationship','/blog/anxiety-in-relationships','/blog/long-distance-relationship','/blog/emotional-connection','/blog/first-date-nerves'] } ] appAudioData.forEach(instance => { if (instance.urls.includes(currentPath) && ctaToReplace) { const ctaToReplaceWrapper = ctaToReplace.closest('.sqs-row') if (ctaToReplaceWrapper) { ctaToReplaceWrapper.insertAdjacentHTML('beforebegin', instance.html) ctaToReplaceWrapper.remove() } return } })}); // Audio Sample Functionality Codewindow.onload = function() { // Replace 'audioFileURL' with the direct link to your audio file const audioFileURL = 'https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57b5ef68c534a5cc06edc769/t/65a78d86aa34af6af3428203/1705479566073/SLEP_0184_DreamWithMe_EN_2CH_MK_20230802_HomepageCutdown.mp3/original/SLEP_0184_DreamWithMe_EN_2CH_MK_20230802_HomepageCutdown.mp3'; // Getting the play/pause button by its ID and icons by their IDs const playPauseButton = document.getElementById('harry-styles-sleep-story-play-pause-button'); const playIcon = document.getElementById('harry-styles-sleep-story-play-icon'); const pauseIcon = document.getElementById('harry-styles-sleep-story-pause-icon'); // Check if elements exist if (playPauseButton && playIcon && pauseIcon) { // Initially hide the pause icon pauseIcon.style.display = 'none'; // Creating the audio object const audio = new Audio(audioFileURL); // Event listener for play/pause button playPauseButton.addEventListener('click', function() { if (audio.paused) { audio.play(); playIcon.style.display = 'none'; pauseIcon.style.display = 'block'; } else { audio.pause(); playIcon.style.display = 'block'; pauseIcon.style.display = 'none'; } }); // Dispatch the custom event after the player is ready let e = new Event("amplitudeaudioloaded"); document.dispatchEvent(e); }};

grounding

Calm Editorial Team

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — a simple grounding exercise to calm anxiety — Calm Blog (2024)

FAQs

Does the 5-4-3-2-1 method work for anxiety? ›

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique is one of the easiest mindfulness strategies designed for managing stress and anxiety, as it can be done almost anywhere and at any time. It's also one of the most effective. Using the fives sense to ground you in the present moment, this is how it works.

What is the 12345 anxiety method? ›

The Anxiety 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique is grounded in mindfulness, which helps calm the nervous system. By shifting your attention from focusing on the causes of anxiety to being curious about your present sensations, the technique encourages you to change your brain's response to stress in two important ways.

What is 5-4-3-2-1 a simple grounding exercise to calm anxiety? ›

How to Do the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
  • Identify 5 Things You Can See.
  • Identify 4 Things You Can Feel.
  • Identify 3 Things You Can Hear.
  • Identify 2 Things You Can Smell.
  • Identify 1 Thing You Can Taste.
Apr 29, 2024

What is the 333 rule for anxiety? ›

The 333 anxiety rule involves observing three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three things you can move or touch. It is a grounding technique — a coping skill to manage intense emotions by steering the mind away from anxiety and toward the present moment.

What are the four C's of anxiety? ›

More specifically we expect positive association between caring and anxiety and a negative association between the other four Cs (competence, confidence, character, and connection) and anxiety.

What does 333 mean for anxiety? ›

What Is the 333 Rule for Anxiety? You can use the 333 rule for anxiety in the moment something triggers you. Just look around to identify 3 objects and 3 sounds, then move 3 body parts. Many people find this strategy helps focus and ground them when anxiety seems overwhelming.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for anxiety? ›

Root the body and mind with grounding techniques

Similar is the 5 5 5 rule where you breathe in deeply for 5 seconds, hold the breath for 5 seconds, and breathe out for 5 seconds. Then, identify five things you can see, five sounds you hear, and five objects around you that you can touch.

What is the anxiety trick? ›

This is the trick of an anxiety disorder: people treat it like danger when it's actually discomfort. The fears and sensations are powerful, but they're still discomfort rather than danger.

What is the grounding trick for anxiety? ›

Focus on your five senses

A simple yet powerful tool is the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 exercise, which harnesses your senses to ground you in the present. All you have to do is name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

What simple exercises relieve anxiety? ›

Progressive muscle relaxation
  1. Lie on the back and stretch out comfortably.
  2. Breathe in and tense the first muscle group for up to 10 seconds.
  3. Breathe out and quickly relax the muscle group.
  4. Relax for up to 20 seconds before repeating the process on the next muscle group.
Jan 24, 2022

How to calm anxiety? ›

Self-care for anxiety
  1. Talk to someone you trust add. Talking to someone you trust about what's making you anxious could be a relief. ...
  2. Try to manage your worries add. ...
  3. Look after your physical health add. ...
  4. Try breathing exercises add. ...
  5. Keep a diary add. ...
  6. Complementary and alternative therapies add.

Is sitting on the ground good for anxiety? ›

Grounding techniques can be a practical and effective way to regain your balance and sense of peace during difficult moments. If you're dealing with anxiety or stress—whether fleeting or persistent—grounding can offer significant relief.

What is the 5 things exercise for anxiety? ›

Once you find your breath, go through the following steps to help ground yourself:
  • 5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. ...
  • 4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you. ...
  • 3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear. ...
  • 2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell. ...
  • 1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.
Apr 10, 2018

How to feel grounded when dissociating? ›

Try grounding techniques
  1. Breathing slowly while counting.
  2. Tuning into to different sounds around you.
  3. Walking barefoot and noticing how the ground feels.
  4. Wrapping yourself in a blanket and noticing how it feels around your body.
  5. Holding an ice cube or splashing cold water on your face.

What is the most effective method for anxiety? ›

Research studies have shown that psychological therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, are much more effective than medications in managing anxiety disorders in the long term.

Does the 333 method work for anxiety? ›

Offers immediate relief. The simplicity of the 333 rule brings immediate comfort. It can redirect the focus away from overwhelming feelings and thoughts so you can center yourself in the now. This immediate grounding can provide relief from anxiety attacks and help you regain control over your emotions and thoughts.

What is the rapid recovery method for anxiety? ›

RRT uses guided imagery, hypnosis, stories and other types of communication to resolve troubling thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Compassion Behavioral Health offers rapid resolution therapy to treat trauma, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health disorders in our clients.

What is the best practice for anxiety? ›

For tips on coping with panic attacks, see our section on what helps to manage panic attacks.
  • Talk to someone you trust add. ...
  • Try to manage your worries add. ...
  • Look after your physical health add. ...
  • Try breathing exercises add. ...
  • Keep a diary add. ...
  • Complementary and alternative therapies add.

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