TIP Your Temperature

A fast-acting technique for reducing distress

This technique activates the human dive reflex to reduce our physiological distress by emulating diving into cold water. It uses an in-built mechanism of slowing down our heart rate to reduce oxygen consumption. We can hack this reflex to stop a panic attack in its tracks by submerging our face in cold water or applying an ice pack across our sinuses and holding our breath with our head between our knees. That calms our distress down, fast.


To download the handout for this, go to our Resources page. It's free!

Share

About Our Resources

We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful change in managing mental health issues through different modes depending on people's learning preferences including infographics, text, worksheets, handouts and video. 

View Website
By Jess O'Garr May 17, 2025
Learn the difference between emotions and moods, what alexithymia is, and how naming your feelings can improve emotional literacy.
The Distress Cycle
By Melody Jaimon April 30, 2025
Distress can feel like chaos, but it actually follows a predictable pattern. Learn the signs.
Orchid
April 30, 2025
Some people are born with a hypersensitive temperament. Let me explain...
By Jess O'Garr April 30, 2025
What they are, How to Use It, and Why It’s Sometimes Hard
By Al Griskaitis January 5, 2025
Using the Mammalian Dive Reflex to as a tactic to stop anger and overwhelm in it's tracks
By Al Griskaitis November 23, 2024
Getting properly squared away with DVA 
We explain the biology of rage, panic and distress: the fight/flight response
By Al Griskaitis November 8, 2024
We can lose our senses when we are distressed. When overwhelmed with rage, terror or distress we enter a state whereby rational thinking is sometimes not possible. This is a biological process. We explain how it works and what you can do to prevent to damage of unmitigated states of distress.
By Al Griskaitis October 30, 2024
Crutches help you get to the surgeon. Meds can help you get to a point were you can address the root causes.
  • View Resources Here


    We hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

    We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful changes in managing mental health issues. View resources here.

We hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful change in managing mental health issues.