I have had anxiety off and on for over 25 years now, and has gotten a lot milder through the years. So with time, research, listening to my body and learning what makes anxiety worse I have learned what my triggers are, what to avoid and most importantly how to breathe through it, as well as see what it is here to teach me.
Yoga has been a part of my day for 30 years, regularly for 25 years. A habit that my body craves. Yoga has become a necessity, a part of slowing down, stretching parts of my body that I never realized were tight and the side affect, calming my nervous system. “If you want to change the fruits, you have to change the roots”
Sugar, anlcohol and caffeine combined with stress or lack of sleep and allowing the mind to run ramped are the greatest sources of anxiety. Learning how to get enough or quality sleep, routinely, avoiding processed food (sugar, wheat-gluten, dyes etc.) alcohol and caffeine will all aid in minimizing anxiety. But it’s also about slowing our breath, when we slow the breath the heart rate will follow as will the racing thoughts. Learning to be present, to take a pause to take a deep inhale and slower exhale. To let go of thoughts that are unnecessary, or to allow them to pass like clouds in the sky. It gets easier with practice and with time.
Daily yoga, time in nature, taking time to relax, meditate/pray and self-regulate will help you gain control of what you think you do not have control over. You have to learn how to control the breath, how to let go of negative thoughts that are not serving you. How to slow the breath, all tools to help get anxiety under control. It is a symptom, one not to be owned but to be taken control of. To take control of what is within your power. Don’t allow anxiety to take control of you or your life. You have the power to change it, and kiss it goodbye if you choose. It’s up to you. 💕
