The 5-4-3-2-1 technique

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is a grounding practice that uses the senses to return to the present moment. In turn, a person notices what they see, hear, touch, smell, and taste, bringing their attention to their surroundings and to the present. This simple exercise draws the mind out of the pull of the past or of anxiety and calls it here. This sensory anchor can remind the nervous system of safety. Noticing the five senses one by one is often a quick way back to the present.