Anxiety feels real 😱, even though it may have no basis in reality, arising when we feel activated by a variety of different triggers.
As long as we continue to try to push away, avoid, or ignore our anxiety or panic, it will continue to hold us hostage.
Our experience of anxiety can change only when we learn how to listen to it, understand it, challenge our anxious thoughts, and replace those thoughts with new ones.
Mindfulness is the best technique for managing fear, anxiety, and panic, When we learn through meditation to allow thoughts to pass without believing all we think to be true, our experience of fear will shift!
Your goal for today is to be present with you thoughts without reacting to them! 💕🌿
When I was a teenager and young adult, I feel like I couldn’t stop making impulse decisions and made most of my choices based on my gut feelings alone.
Now that I’m an adult, I feel like I can’t make an impulse decision to save my life! 😅
My anxiety drives the bus 🚌 so much more than it did when I was young- instead of being chronically impulsive, now I’m a chronic overthinker!!
I think it’s important in all realms of life to practice skills we need to work on, so today I’m going to try and “trust my gut” on something and just go with it- obviously I’m not talking about anything risky or dangerous- but maybe ordering a coffee I don’t usually get or taking a different way to get to work, just to challenge the ol’ thinker.
Love this art from @bethdrawsthings
Went for a hike this weekend in #ForestPark here in Portland. Trying to get out into the woods more since the weathers been cooler!
Nature 🌼 has a hugely understated affect on our mental health. Studies show spending time outdoors can reduce levels of anxiety, increase our happiness and sense of connectedness, increase focus and attention, and helps us bounce back from stressful situations quicker.
Evidence shows that having more regular exposure to green spaces 🌿 decreases our chances for anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Spending time outdoors had also been proven to decreases cortisol levels, reduces blood pressure, and can even reduce chronic pain.
As a society, we have not yet accepted that nature can function as such a strong protective factor for both mental and physical health!
Has anyone experienced positive effects of nature on their body or mind? I want to hear your stories! 💚