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So distressed you can't think straight? Lower the intensity with these 4 skills
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Marielle Segarra, Malaka Gharib , Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News
· July 20, 2026
· 1 min read
A clinical psychologist shares effective strategies to quickly de-escalate stress and anxiety. That includes dunking your head into a bowl of ice water to trigger your mammalian dive reflex.
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Marielle Segarra, Malaka Gharib, Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway That includes dunking your head into a bowl of ice water to trigger your mammalian dive reflex.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
For San Antonio residents dealing with the pressures of everyday life, from congested highways to demanding work schedules, managing stress and anxiety is crucial. The strategies shared by the clinical psychologist, including the unconventional method of triggering the mammalian dive reflex, offer a unique approach to coping with overwhelming emotions. This technique, in particular, may appeal to those who enjoy outdoor activities like swimming or kayaking on the many waterways in and around Bexar County. By incorporating these skills into daily life, individuals can better navigate the challenges of living in a vibrant and sometimes frenetic city like San Antonio. As the city continues to grow and evolve, it's likely that residents will face new and varied sources of stress, making it essential to have a range of effective coping mechanisms at their disposal.
About this story
Original reporting by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A clinical psychologist shares effective strategies to quickly de-escalate stress and anxiety. That includes dunking your head into a bowl of ice water to trigger your mammalian dive reflex.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marielle Segarra, Malaka Gharib at Texas Public Radio (TPR) - News. To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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