Take a proactive stance in managing the stress in your life by doing these things to clear your head.

There will be times where you’re stressed out beyond belief. That doesn’t mean that you need to stay that way, however. You can shift your focus from the negative to the positive relatively easy with some practice. In fact, the more stress management tools you have access to, the better. You’ll find the perfect combination of tools and techniques that work best for you.

Here are five effective ways to clear your head when you’re completely stressed out:

Get a breath of fresh air.

When the walls feel like they’re closing in on you and that you’re going to lose your cool, try to get outdoors for a few minutes. If you’re at home, this will be much easier to do. If you’re at work, however, you may need to take an early break or resort to another stress management tool or technique.

Try grounding.

Feeling the earth beneath your feet is very calming. In fact, grounding gives you a sense of being anchored. It provides you with stability that you may not experience anywhere else. Take your shoes off and feel the grass between your toes because it shifts your focus momentarily.

Use a calming essential oil scent.

Put on a Lavender Aromatherapy Inhalation Patch and breathe deeply. Focus on your breath until you feel better. Do this for however long you need to because the patch lasts for up to six to eight hours at a time before it needs to be replaced.

Remove yourself from the situation.

Quietly take a few minutes to collect yourself. Get a glass of water. Go to the bathroom. Try not to react to the situation until you’re out of the thick of it.

Write about it in a journal.

Having a safe place to express your feelings is valuable. Any blank book will do. If you don’t want to “ruin” a fancy journal, get a composition notebook from the store and keep it with you wherever you go. That way, you’ll always have a way to release stress.

Stress is unavoidable. The way you react to it, however, dictates how much it affects your life. Knowing what to do when things feel out of control is essential. It takes your power back from someone else and puts it into your hands. It allows you to make decisions concerning how you choose to feel and address the problem you’re faced with.