Did you know that over 374 million people (according to Forbes in 2023) struggle with anxiety? Considering the fast-paced nature of today’s society, it’s no surprise that anxiety is so prevalent in a world where “more” and “faster” are rewarded, right?
The good news is that if you find yourself among these millions of people, there are solutions within your reach. These solutions are simple and natural, requiring only your commitment to practice them.
As you may have already guessed, mindfulness can be part of these solutions. Below, I will explain why and how mindfulness practices can help reduce anxiety.
To better understand the connection between mindfulness and anxiety reduction, let’s first clarify what each concept refers to:
Anxiety arises when our focus shifts to the future, feeding negative thoughts and worries about what lies ahead. Here are some common thoughts experienced by people dealing with anxiety:
- “It won’t work, so there’s no point in trying.”
- “I won’t be good enough.”
- “I will fail.”
- “No one will support me.”
- “I won’t be capable of…”
- “Something bad will surely happen if…”
Mindfulness, on the other hand, promotes practices focused on the present moment, encouraging awareness of thoughts and sensations without judgment or attachment to the past or future.
When we place these two concepts side by side, it becomes easier to see why practicing mindfulness techniques is so effective in reducing and even healing anxiety. Mindfulness teaches our mind and body to live in the present moment, where anxiety cannot exist, as it thrives on worries about the future.
Here are a few mindfulness practices that are easily accessible and can be valuable allies in your journey to reduce and heal anxiety:
- Conscious breathing: When experiencing overwhelming anxiety, you may notice that your breathing becomes irregular. It likely becomes faster, signaling that something is off and it’s time to take action. In that moment, you have the power to pause, take a break, and focus on your breath. In private mindfulness sessions, you’ll learn simple and practical breathing exercises that help restore balance to your body, which in return will balance your emotions, reducing anxiety.
- Body scanning: When emotions overwhelm you, the tension they generate is also felt in the body. Developing the ability to bring yourself back to the present moment through body scanning can increase awareness of what you’re physically experiencing and provide techniques to help you transition from anxiety to a state of well-being.
- Non-resistance to thoughts: Often, what triggers feelings of anxiety is not the subject itself, but our resistance to it. Cultivating non-resistance is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself in the pursuit of reducing and healing anxiety. Mindfulness can help you develop this skill, providing you with a toolset to manage overwhelming moments of anxiety.
Anxiety can bring a flood of negative thoughts and overwhelming sensations, but you have the power to take control of your life and approach this challenge with the goal of healing, so you can feel better.
Maybe you’re feeling restless, agitated, or your thoughts are filled with worries about the future. Perhaps anxious thoughts are creating irrational fears and excessive concerns about upcoming events, or you’re overly focused on the consequences of your present actions.
I’m here to tell you that it’s okay, whether you feel one, all, or none of these emotions.
Whatever your position is, it’s perfectly valid. But if you feel there’s room for improvement, I invite you to take action—because positive change in your life is entirely in your hands. The good news is that there are natural remedies—simple practices—but they require your commitment to implementing them.
If you feel ready to embark on this path toward reducing or even healing anxiety, I invite you to work with me in private sessions where I will guide you step by step to help you feel better. Together, we’ll equip you with a set of techniques that you can access whenever you need them most.
I look forward to working with you when you’ve decided to prioritize your well-being in life. ❤️