On a particular morning, a young adult planned to take her dog for a short walk on her own. Although she wanted to be independent, anxiety began to build as soon as she thought about leaving the house. She worried about encountering other people, not coping if something unexpected happened, and felt a strong urge to ask her parents to come with her instead. As the anxiety increased, she considered cancelling the walk altogether and staying inside, which often left her feeling disappointed and frustrated with herself.
With Brain in Hand
Before leaving, she opened the Brain in Hand app and used the check-in feature to recognise that her anxiety was rising. The app prompted her to open her personalised “Dog Walk” solution pack, which she had created with her coach. This included a clear step-by-step process, such as putting on her shoes, attaching the dog’s lead, and pausing to take slow, steady breaths before opening the door. Reading these steps helped her feel less overwhelmed and more focused.
While out walking, her anxiety spiked when she noticed other people nearby. She stopped, opened the app, and followed the calming strategies in her solution pack, including grounding exercises and reassuring reminders she had written for herself. Knowing she could access support at any moment helped her stay regulated and continue the walk safely without needing to return home or ask for immediate help.
The results
By using Brain in Hand on this difficult day, she was able to complete the dog walk independently, manage her anxiety, and avoid relying on her parents for reassurance. Although the experience was challenging, she finished the walk feeling calmer, more confident, and proud of herself. This success reinforced her belief that she could cope on her own, helping build confidence for future walks and other activities in the community.