Our mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, and we can manage our anxiety by practicing mindfulness, taking care of our bodies, and staying in touch with our spiritual health.
“Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.”
~Sylvia Boorstein
Set aside time and space for mindfulness
Mindfulness encompasses setting aside time and space to acknowledge, feel, and appreciate the present moment. These moments may be full of anxiety, fear, happiness, or sadness, but it is essential to be aware of these feelings, digest them and accept them before you can fully move on from them.
Your thoughts may be “negative” or “positive,” and you may want to act on your thoughts to release the negative emotions associated with these thoughts. It is vital to dissociate emotions from your thoughts, and this can be done by staying neutral. You must avoid judging these thoughts as “bad” or “good” and acknowledge them as they are. Remember that mindfulness requires patience and insight. Allowing your mind to wander can also bring in more temptation, and the “What if’s” can result in many mixed emotions and unhealthy behaviors.
Setting aside time and a safe space to reflect on your past journey, and acknowledging your present thoughts is essential. Allowing yourself to take time in the morning, during your lunch, or at night to be aware of your thoughts and anxiety is the first step to mindfulness.
You can practice mindfulness in many different ways: meditation, yoga, journaling, listening to music, being still, or going for a run.
Practice kindness
Kindness truly defeats all bad in the world. If you are struggling with anxiety, whether it is related to work, financial stress, or relationships, spreading a simple act of kindness can help you put things into perspective. Write your coworker a kind note, offer to take your neighbor’s dog for a walk, compliment your boss or cook dinner for your spouse.
Exercise
Sweating and shaking it out, through exercise, often relieve anxiety. We often allow our stress to build up in our muscles, creating tension, pain, and stiffness. Going for a run, attending a yoga session, walking the dog, hiking in nature, or lifting weights are all great ways to get our endorphins and dopamine surging, which can help lessen or eliminate our anxiety.
Unplug
It is so easy to become focused on our electronic devices, which can often fuel our anxiety. Avoid the computer, television, and mobile devices for at least an hour and spend time with people you care about instead. Social connections can help reduce anxiety. However, we often need to unplug from our virtual social connections to connect in real life with those we cherish.
Be creative
Creativity fuels production, which fuels self-confidence, which can lighten your anxiety. Whether it is writing, playing an instrument, cooking, painting, or baking, tapping into your creative side can be a healthy outlet for your anxiety.
Practice the art of positive thinking
Our anxiety can leave us bedridden as we continuously think of the worst possible outcomes and the “What Ifs.” Often, these outcomes and scenarios are merely impossible, but we still manage to allow them to take up space in our lives. Replace these negative outlooks with positive thoughts and affirmations. Write these down and read positive affirmations aloud until you can believe that these positive thoughts will become your reality.
We need to be kind to ourselves, allow ourselves space for mental clarity and spiritual healing, engage in physical exercise, and remind ourselves that we are only human. Anxiety may always be present in our life, and a manageable level of anxiety can provide us with the energy we need to overcome obstacles, provide motivation to reach our future goals and alert us if fear is lurking around the corner.
However, when our anxiety begins to take over every aspect of our lives daily, we need to re-focus, create space and practice the approaches listed above to reconnect with our mind, body, and spirit.
We Are Here For You!
No matter where you are in your journey to recovery, AKUA Mind & Body can help. We understand that life in recovery can be tough. If you are afraid of a relapse, seeking help for the first time, or trying to get back on track, we have a program for you.
We are committed to the health and safety of you and/or your loved ones, and we are FULLY OPEN & OPERATIONAL. At AKUA Mind & Body, the safety of our Clients is our top priority. We are aware of the increased fear and anxiety among most people regarding the current pandemic. Hence, we are doing everything that we can to keep health and safety.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health illness or substance use and addiction disorder, we can help now more than ever! AKUA Mind & Body provides an integrative treatment approach with multiple levels of care from detox and residential to virtual outpatient programs. With several facilities throughout the Sacramento Region, Los Angeles & Orange County Region, and San Diego Region, we aim to provide our clients with a solid foundation for healing and transformation. Gender-specific and Co-ed facilities are available.
Call our 24/7 admissions helpline to seek help today!
