Name Three Things You Can See
Whenattention is pulled from the present
Pause and name three things you can see where you are. Notice one detail about one of them, then return to the next thing you chose to do.
Why it works
A detail you can see is available before you have solved a single problem. Start with one small piece of the world around you.
Start tiny
Name one thing you can see.
What you’ll notice
You have a small, present-tense detail to bring with you into the next minute.
When it slips
If naming things feels uncomfortable or doesn't fit where you are, notice one neutral sound or touch instead, or skip the exercise.
SafetyUse this when you can safely pause. Keep your attention on driving or any task that needs it.
World Health Organization. Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide (2020), Grounding exercises, printed pp. 39–46. Read the source ↗ WHO's full guide uses five visible things in one exercise; naming three is this card's shortened editorial adaptation and is not claimed as a tested dose.
Foundation: Small recurring actions with little setup. Choose anchors that fit your day.
