The Spin Tool: A 30-Second Technique to Stop Anxiety Spirals

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You know that feeling when anxiety, overwhelm, or chaos takes over your body?

Maybe it's in your chest. Maybe your stomach. Maybe your whole body feels like it's buzzing or spinning out of control.

Here's a tool that sounds too simple to work—but it does.

It's Called the Spin Tool

Here's how it works:

Notice where you feel the anxiety or overwhelm in your body
Imagine that feeling has a spin to it—which way is it spinning? Clockwise? Counterclockwise? Fast? Tight?
Use your hand to mimic that spin in the air in front of you
Match the speed. Match the direction. Just copy what you feel inside.
Now slow the spin down with your hand
Move it further away from your body
Then reverse the spin—spin it the opposite direction

Now pause. Notice what you notice.

What You Might Feel

You might feel confused. Wonky. Like "wait, that was weird."

Your thoughts might slow down. Your chest might feel lighter. You might take a deeper breath without meaning to.

That "weird" feeling? That's your nervous system recalibrating. That's you getting unstuck.

Why This Works

Your nervous system doesn't know the difference between a "real" movement and one you're doing with your hand—it responds to both.

By changing the spin on the outside, you're interrupting the stuck pattern on the inside.

And that interruption? That's what gets you moving again. Moving forward. Out of the loop.

This Isn't About Understanding Why

This isn't about understanding why you're anxious. It's about shifting the pattern in your body so you can actually think clearly again, so you can take action, so you're not frozen or spinning out.

You Can Use This Tool:

In your car before a hard conversation
At your desk when work feels overwhelming
In bed when your brain won't stop
Literally anywhere, anytime

It takes 30 seconds. And it works even when you're already flooded—unlike breathing techniques that can feel impossible when you're activated.

Try It Right Now

Seriously. Think of something mildly stressful. Find the spin in your body. Use your hand to match it, slow it, move it away, reverse it.

See what happens.

This Is Just One Tool from ICW

Next week I'm sharing something deeper: my personal story with Focusing—the practice that helped me discover "I can take up space" in just 20 minutes.

Ready to learn more tools like this? Book a free 20-minute consultation here: LINK