DBT teaches an infamous anxiety hack. Having an anxiety attack? Ugly crying, and you can't stop? Fill a large bowl with water and ice. Put your face in it. Hold your breath. Repeat. Viola!

Next time you're dissociating, or you just need to get ahold of yourself, try it.

This remedy is called the Mammalian Dive Response, and it works.

Simply by putting your face in cold water, your body reacts like your whole body is submerged in cold water. Your heart rate slows. Blood flow to nonessential organs is reduced, and blood flow is redirected to the brain and heart. And this process, well… it kind of shuts down auxiliary functioning and brings your parasympathetic nervous system online. That part of your nervous system says, "Chill, baby, it's all gonna be alright." It's also known as the relaxation........

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