If you're caught up in anxious thoughts in the moment, force yourself to stop and notice what's happening in your body, said therapist ShaQuan Read, LMHC. See if you're feeling tension anywhere. "Sometimes we don't have control over our thoughts, but we can tell that we feel tightness in our chest, a headache, or tension in our stomach," Read explained. Stop, notice what's happening, and "let the body know that it is actually safe and there is no threat present." Calming down your fight or flight response is the first step towards addressing your anxiety.