Managing Anxiety: Small Things That Make A Big Difference.

Anxiety can make everyday life feel heavy, loud, or overwhelming. It might show up as racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, trouble sleeping, or constantly feeling on edge. The good news is that small, gentle steps can help the nervous system settle.

One simple strategy is the 4–6 breathing technique:

• Breathe in through your nose for a slow count of 4

• Hold for 1 second

• Exhale through your mouth for a count of 6

• Repeat for 1–2 minutes

When the exhale is longer than the inhale, it signals to the body that you’re safe, helping the heart rate slow down and the mind settle.

Stepping away from a stressful moment — even into another room — can give your brain a chance to reset. Some people find grounding useful: noticing five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste.

Talking about anxiety can also reduce its power. You don’t need to face it alone. If anxiety is affecting your daily life, counselling can offer a space to understand it, manage it, and feel more in control.