JAKARTA - Mental health is currently one of the things that many people pay attention to, especially in the younger generation. This is because various surveys show that the level of anxiety among young people continues to increase.
In the midst of this condition, various ways to overcome anxiety also emerged, one of which is the anxiety bag which is now viral on social media. Anxiety bag or also called panic pouch or calm-down kit is a small bag containing simple aids to calm yourself when anxious or panicked.
This trend is becoming more popular among Generation Z or Gen Z, especially women. This is related to a survey of nearly a thousand people aged 18-26 years, as many as 61 percent admitted to having diagnosed anxiety disorders, and 43 percent experienced panic attacks at least once a month.
In this situation, anxiety bags play a role. According to doctors and neuroscientists, Dr. Kyra Bobinet, says that keeping self-regulating aids such as anxiety bags within reach during high stress is a genius idea.
"This is a way to distract and calm down. Create another sensation so that you are not completely dominated by anxious thoughts," Bobinet said, quoted from the New York Post, on Monday, April 13, 2026.
The goods that can be placed in the anxiety bag are anxiety medications that have been prescribed by a doctor, essential oils such as soothing lavender scents, to sour candy.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny Martin, said quick sensory interventions such as holding ice, sucking on a sour candy, or smelling a strong scent can stop the surge of the nervous system and relieve anxiety.
"These tools work by diverting attention from anxious thoughts to the body and the present moment," he said.
However, everyone has different triggers for anxiety, so the contents of the anxiety bag need to be adjusted to the needs of each person. If anxiety is triggered by overstimulation, tools such as noise-canceling headphones and calming seasons can help.
If anxiety occurs because of thoughts like "what if", then grounding techniques are more effective. For example by chewing mint candy while focusing on its taste and texture.
"Fidget or textured objects can also give a strong tactile sensation," he said.
Although it is effective in helping, experts also warn that the use of anxiety bags does not cause dependence. In the long run, users still need to learn to manage anxiety without relying on the tool.
"This is a good idea to help patients. However, in the long run, the goal is to reduce dependence, even learning without the bag," concluded psychiatrist Dr. Vinay Saranga.
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