Anxiety is a common experience for many, but it doesn’t have to control our lives. One powerful tool for managing anxiety is mindfulness. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can help us gain a new perspective on our anxious thoughts and reduce their hold over us.
Mindfulness helps us notice from a half-step back:
When we’re caught up in anxious thoughts, it can feel like we’re drowning in them. Mindfulness allows us to take a step back and observe these thoughts from a distance. This can help us see that our thoughts are just thoughts, not necessarily reality. By creating this distance, we can prevent ourselves from getting swept away by our anxious thoughts.
Mindfulness helps us notice the stories in our heads and brings us back to what is actually happening:
Often, anxiety is fueled by stories we tell ourselves about what might happen in the future or what has happened in the past. Mindfulness helps us become aware of these stories and brings us back to the present moment. By focusing on what is actually happening right now, we can reduce the power of these stories and alleviate anxiety.
Mindfulness creates a space for self-compassion:
Anxiety can be accompanied by self-criticism and harsh judgments. Mindfulness encourages us to cultivate self-compassion by treating ourselves with kindness and understanding. By practicing self-compassion, we can soothe our anxious minds and provide ourselves with the comfort we need to navigate difficult moments.
Are You Stressed Out or Feeling Overwhelmed? You may experience stress if you:
* Feel under pressure
* Are taking care of an elderly or sick family member
* Demand perfection from yourself
* Are getting married or are going through a divorce
* Have a chronic illness or injury
* Don’t have much control over the outcome of a situation
* Are grieving the death of a loved one
* Have responsibilities that you find overwhelming
There is Help for Stress
To book an appointment, call or text us at 650-461-9026, email us at info@paloaltotherapy.com, or book an appointment here. Our amazing care coordinators are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.