Too often, I spend too much time cycling and recycling thoughts, especially when I have something dramatic going on in my life. This is what I consider to be really really great advice on how to get control of the situation when things get out of hand. Breathing is the number one way to come back to yourself.

You can naturally stop your thoughts if you focus your attention fully on your in-breath and your out-breath. After one or two minutes of practice, the quality your in-breath and out-breath will improve. Your breath will become deeper, slower, and more harmonious and peaceful, whether you are lying down, sitting, or walking. By practicing mindful breathing, we bring the elements of harmony and peace into our body.

Your True Home, Thich Nhat Hanh p 38