When we are under stress we forget what we are supposed to do to help us calm down. In that moment we can feel helpless, which makes us feel more stressed. Whatever tools you have that you like to help bring you back to present you should practice often. Balloon breathing, square breathing, breathe in for 4 and out for 8, object naming, whatever your favorites are you can do them two- three times a day to help them sink into long term memory. It takes 90 days for things to sink in and, just like your favorite sport, the more you practice the more naturally the skill will come when you need it. So do your deep breathing in the morning, and before bed too. It will take 2 minutes and then when you need it, when that moment comes and you feel like you are panicking about something, your body will know what to do. Can you imagine learning to shoot a three point basket in basketball and then never doing it again until you are in the game? Mental health skills are the same as any other skill, practice makes perfect. Need some more tools to practice? Make your appointment today.