Are you here, now?

One of the issues I have been working a lot with clients in session is anxiety. COVID has turned us up and down, around and inside out.

Add civil unrest and the divisive political climate and, well, the world just feels heavy.

It is hard NOT to feel worried about every piece of everything.

When I start to feel my own worry or the whole-body anxiety that seemingly creeps in out of nowhere, it can appear difficult to breathe, think, focus or be present.

In other words, these moments can totally suck.

So, how do I bring myself out of worry and anxiety hell?

Be. Here. Now.

I know what you’re thinking…..easier said than done…..but stay with me for a minute.

First, I accept that I am anxious. Next, I breathe in and allow all of the feels to be felt. Is this comfortable? Hell, no. But stuffing or trying to fix feelings that are screaming only makes them grow bigger.

Carl Jung stated, “What you resist persists.” Yes. Not only persist, but those unprocessed and unfelt feelings can and will create a cascade of havoc inside your mind and body.

So, in order to calm my monkey mind, I sit in my anxiety and breathe. As I breathe, I say to myself, “Here” on the inhale and “Now” on the exhale. Here. Now.

Here.

Now.

Often, as I do this, the anxiety can feel even more overwhelming….but I sit with it….breathe into it….. and remind myself that I am here. Now.

What I love about this is that as soon as I allow and accept what is present for me in the moment……it softens and I am able to breathe more fully and my body starts to relax.

I sit in this space and breathe like this for as long as it takes for my body to feel calm and my mind to unwind.

Try it.

Be here now.  Here. Now.

As always, if you need support, reach out for a session.