Grounding techniques help manage symptoms of stress by turning your attention away from thoughts, memories, or worries, and refocusing on the present moment. During the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise, you actively engage each of your senses to ground yourself. This method is based on established principles of mindfulness and sensory awareness, which have been shown to effectively reduce stress and manage anxiety.

The next time you're feeling overwhelmed, remember the self-compassion break. It's a moment of kindness and understanding that you owe to yourself.