Elizabeth Olsen’s Simple “Brain Game” That Stopped Her Panic Attacks — And Why It Works

Elizabeth Olsen, best known for her captivating performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has revealed a personal battle that nearly derailed her in her early 20s: debilitating panic attacks. At just 21, while living in New York City, Olsen endured a six-month period where these episodes struck “on the hour, every hour,” leaving her physically and emotionally drained.

One moment remains etched in her memory — crossing 6th Avenue at 14th Street, suddenly gripped by the fear she might “drop dead at any moment.” The attacks often arrived without warning, sometimes triggered by something as ordinary as moving from a cold space into a warm one or eating a meal. At first, doctors explored physical causes like vertigo, but answers remained elusive.

The “Brain Game” That Changed Everything

Relief came not from a prescription pad but from a simple grounding exercise a friend introduced her to — a technique Olsen calls a “brain game.” While walking, she would name out loud everything she could see, forcing her mind to focus on her immediate surroundings instead of spiraling into fear.

“It stopped my panic attacks,” Olsen said in a 2022 interview with Variety. By redirecting her thoughts to the tangible present, the exercise disrupted the feedback loop of anxiety. The method, rooted in mindfulness, is a variation of a widely recognized cognitive-behavioral grounding tool — and its simplicity means it’s accessible to almost anyone.

A Holistic Approach to Calm

Olsen didn’t stop there. She incorporated yoga, meditation, and fitness into her routine, practices she credits with sustaining her mental well-being. In a 2024 conversation with The Guardian, she emphasized how breathwork became a crucial resource, even informing her portrayal of emotionally complex roles — including her performance in Netflix’s His Three Daughters.

Though Olsen described herself as “not an anxious child” and naturally “very loud and confident,” the abrupt onset of panic attacks underscored how mental health challenges can strike unexpectedly. In the mid-2000s, when conversations about anxiety were far less mainstream, she often felt isolated in her struggle.

Anxiety-Free — And Paying It Forward

Now, Olsen says she hasn’t experienced a panic attack in years. She credits the brain game and other grounding techniques for her recovery, along with surrounding herself with supportive people.

By speaking openly about her experience, Olsen has turned a deeply personal challenge into a public resource, showing that sometimes the most powerful tools for mental health are also the simplest — and that reclaiming peace of mind can start with something as small as noticing the world around you.

If you’d like, I can also create a short sidebar explainer on how readers can try Olsen’s “brain game” for themselves in three simple steps — it would give this article a useful, practical hook for lifestyle or health sections.