Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry and intrusive thoughts, and this disorder can interfere with daily life. While living with it is challenging, it can also be a wake-up call to adopt mindfulness. This practice focuses on the present, encouraging you to reflect on your environment, bodily state, and thoughts. Here’s more information about this approach and how it can help.

How Mindfulness Alleviates Anxiety

Mindfulness prevents stress and other negative emotions from taking over. By simply acknowledging that these thoughts exist instead of categorizing them as bad, you can distance yourself from them.

Becoming consumed with what should’ve been done in the past or what still needs to be completed in the future causes you to miss out on the present. Approaching the present with mindfulness will help you react thoughtfully instead of on instinct.

Mindfulness works by bringing awareness to the body, which helps control the symptoms of stress, like a racing pulse. It also helps focus your attention instead of becoming distracted by worries. A new mindset will encourage a more positive self-perception, helping you understand that you’re experiencing a series of mental events and not in a fixed state of distress.

How to Use Mindfulness When You’re Anxious

If you’re experiencing anxiety, pause to focus on your breathing. Take note of the sensation of inhaling and exhaling, bringing awareness to that moment in time. If thoughts invade the mind, acknowledge they exist, let them go, then return to your breathing. While this may not lead to instant and complete peace, it’ll help you learn how to calm your mind in high-stress situations.

If you’re experiencing persistent worrying or stress, get help from the team at Counseling Solutions Of Alaska in Anchorage. These professional counselors offer personalized approaches to help you cope with mental and emotional challenges, like anxiety and depression. Get more information about their services online, or call (907) 644-8044 to schedule an appointment.