You always hear people say you should keep busy in order to distract yourself and move forward when something bad has happened. And, in a way, they're right.

However, this doesn't mean always having plans on your schedule to be out and about with no spare time. Personally, that works for me when I'm just feeling bummy about something minor but does more harm than good when I'm deeply upset about something.

What you should keep busy in this case is your mind - with very elementary tasks involving the 5 senses that will keep you from sitting with, and only with, the negative thoughts and feelings that have resulted from whatever is troubling you.

This idea is to get out of a space for hypotheticals, anxieties, and overthinking and back to a mindful reality where you are in tune with yourself and the physical world.

This is known as the psychology technique of "grounding." It is basically supposed to distract your mind with tasks that either cause you to think in a very focused way about non-stressful topics or create physical sensations for your body to detract from the physical sensation of panic or anxiety.

No, it is not a magical hypnosis technique that is going to make you forget about the overwhelming tragedies going on in our world right now, but what it is going to do if given a full effort is slow your mind and body down a bit so that you feel more confident and capable of addressing and managing your thoughts and feelings.

Basically, you should feel less attacked and overpowered by the army of stressed thoughts invading your mind.

This technique of grounding is usually targeted toward PTSD and feelings of panic. I feel that it could be a helpful tool for anyone feeling an overwhelming level of stress right now, so I've listed some techniques below:

1. Quite literally ground yourself - put your bare feet on the ground.

Put your feet in the grass, sand, ocean, or whatever you have access to. Focus on the sensation and think about how and why it feels the way it does.

2. Wash your hands/face.

Wash your hands or face slowly, thinking about covering every single corner and spot on your hands or face. The physical sensation of this will distract you a bit and the time it takes you to focus on this will slow your mind and body down.

3. Stretch comfortably.

Get your body moving and your heart beating calmly but steadily.

4. Visualize a safe place.

Imagine a place where you can feel calm, peaceful and safe. Avoid using personal places you frequent like your home or bed. Create a new place in your imagination. Look around you in that place, what do you notice that you could experience with your senses? What colors are there? What smells would be there? If you notice any negative imagery, discard that image and replace it.

5. Listen to your surroundings.

Close your eyes. What do you hear? What's making those sounds? How far away is it? Ask yourself a handful of questions about one sound then move onto another sound you can hear.

6. Sit with a pet.

Pet the pet. Talk to the pet. Physically play with the pet outside. Take it for a walk. Whichever you want in the moment. Pet therapy is real, people!

7. Count your breathing.

Slowly inhale through your nose, counting in your head the seconds you're able to slowing breathe in for, and then slowly exhale through your mouth, counting again how long you're able to breathe out for. Breathe as deeply as you can.

8. Swim.

I've found less research on this one but the physical sensation of casually swimming or floating in a pool really helps me with physical anxiety.

9. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique.

This may be the most well-known and best for specific moments of panic. To practice this technique, you use your senses to search for 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch (and touch them), 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and one thing you can taste (and taste it).