Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety & The Present by Stephanie
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Does being in the present moment help with anxiety? 

This is a question I often receive from people who are struggling with anxiety and at the same time trying to live a life of presence (a.k.a. being in the here and now).

Many have shared that practicing presence does not seem to help with
anxiety and wonder if they are doing something wrong?
Excellent question!!!

My response comes from personal experience dealing with anxiety while trying to
live a life of presence.
 
I break it down into these 3 steps, and usually in this order:
 
1. Practice Acceptance 
Here I find myself... experiencing the energy of anxiety. It’s energy and it will pass.
Anxiety isn’t who I am. Exhale.

2. Love Myself  
Extension of above where I release mental judgment and holding on so tight to the
current emotional experience.
If possible, I will physically shake my body for 3 minutes to release the energy.
Something else I do is pull up an inspiring photo, quote, etc. Basically I do the next
“best” thing to shift the energy / emotional state. Exhale.

3. Turn It Over to God 
So this one is new to me. Usually after I go through steps 1 and 2 above,
I arrive here, exhausted. May take several passes (moments/hours/days) through
steps 1 and 2. Once I arrive here, a surrendered state really, the peace of letting
go returns. Ahh.
The storm has passed for now and I return to a peaceful emotional state which
supports a clear mental state.
With a clear mental state, the next right "action" emerges.
Of course my “ego” intention is to arrive at step 3 first!! And yet... we are human,
we resist, we forget that it does not have to be so hard.  And the practice continues
dear friends. Exhale.

Blessing Note:
You / we are not alone in feeling anxious. May these words help you feel at ease. 
Blessings to all of you,
Stephanie