Category: Meditation

Technique: Stop Anxiety in its Tracks

3/20/2019

by Cailin O'Hara, MAcOM, LAc, Dipl OM

Do you struggle with anxiety?

Can you feel it? That fervent pace of spring is here. Now's a good time to talk about anxiety and how we overwhelm ourselves.

Let me tell you, I GET IT. Anxiety was once my enemy. I was the teenager on Zoloft, Paxil, Buspar, Xanax. I had no idea what my anxiety was or what to do with it. In my mid-twenties, I began learning meditation. Everything changed. I found ways to understand myself and what I needed. I made friends with my feelings. I felt better. And it was just the beginning!

Anxiety is a big red flag saying HELP!
It's a part of you that needs your help.

So, check out this video where I talk about how I treat anxiety, panic and stress. Share it with someone you know if they're struggling. Let's spread the word about the power of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for the treatment of anxiety, stress and mental health.

(And also check out the little clip from February where I explain why depression can rise in the spring.)

Stop Anxiety with this technique

So if you watched the video, you heard me explain that anxiety is completely normal. It is! But it can become an overwhelming spiral. Here's how you can stop it in its tracks.

Close your eyes and try this breathing exercise.
If you've been in recently, I may have taught this to you. If not, here's how it goes:
(count in your mind, not aloud)

Breathe in as you count to 4
Hold your breath and count to 4
Breathe out as you count to 4
Hold your breath and count to 4

Repeat 10 times and see how you feel.

As you are doing this breathing technique, you can also draw an imaginary box in your mind. Here's a video to help with that or ask me at your next session.