They sound strange, even a little ridiculous, but research shows these methods can genuinely help with stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
1. The “Tetris for Trauma” Trick
If you experience something upsetting or even traumatic, playing Tetris within four hours can help. Visual–spatial games compete with the brain’s ability to form intrusive visual memories because they use the same cognitive resources (Holmes et al., 2009). In simple terms, playing Tetris can interfere with the way traumatic images settle in your memory.
2. Crying in Another Language
When you are upset, try describing your feelings in a foreign language – even if it’s broken high school French. Emotional memories are stored primarily in your native language. Speaking in a second language creates psychological distance and reduces emotional intensity (Costa et al., 2014). Saying “Ich bin sehr traurig, ich hasse diese Idioten” will feel different from saying “I’m devastated, I hate these idiots” and that difference matters.
3. Backwards Counting for Thought Spirals
If you find yourself overthinking, count backwards from 100 in sevens. This is based on cognitive load theory, which shows that your brain cannot both spiral and do complex maths at the same time (Sweller, 1988). While this doesn’t solve the underlying issue, it is an effective way to interrupt the cycle and create space for calmer thinking.
4. The 30-Second Fist-Clench Willpower Boost
Before making a difficult decision, clench any muscle, such as your fist, for 30 seconds. This uses the principle of embodied cognition – physical tension can increase mental willpower and self-control (Hung & Labroo, 2011). It’s a surprisingly simple way to give your discipline a quick boost.
5. Naming Your Anxiety Like a Pet
Give your anxiety a playful name – for example, “Hans” or “Adolf” – and address it as though it were an annoying friend, "Shut up, Adolf, I'm trying to focus". This technique, called affect labelling, reduces activity in the amygdala (the brain’s emotional centre) and increases activity in the prefrontal cortex (the rational brain) (Lieberman et al., 2007). Talking to your anxiety in this way can make it feel less overwhelming and easier to manage.
Conclusion
Mental health tools don’t always have to be conventional to be effective. These unusual strategies may seem unorthodox, but they are grounded in science and can be powerful aids in building resilience and emotional control.