Is there wisdom in our experiences with anxiety?

Is it possible to find inner wisdom when we have anxiety, panic attacks, or just experiencing emotional distress? Despite how overwhelming emotions can leave us feeling. We may feel drained, and not want it to happen again. In the midst of these experiences, we can find motivation for us to seek valuable lessons and teachable moments that can increase our ability to protect ourselves. Protecting ourselves means that we are driven to feel better. It provides us an opportunity to reflect and make changes to how we are living, coping, and setting new goals.

Finding your wisdom during storms of anxiety, can be challenging and may even seem too overwhelming. Let's pause, and take two deep breaths, and then continue our journey in learning ways that we can find the wisdom within our experience with anxiety.

Anxiety is the body's signal that something is out of balance, or a change is desired. If we recognize that anxiety is a multi-level experience from the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects, it can help us to mindfully tune into our needs. Those physiological sensations of anxiety include - tension, upset stomach, shakiness, sweating, feeling jittery, irritable and on edge, unable to sleep, feeling constant exhaustion, we can recognize when we need to pause and then consider making a shift. Just pausing allows us to mindfully be present in the moment to our sensations.

Tuning into our mind means paying attention to our thoughts. The sound of doing this may be scary and overwhelming at first, especially since we tend to get "caught up into over-thinking and analysing our thoughts". Remember this, what we pay attention to and give attention to is what we will grow more of. So just observing our thoughts, while letting go of any negative judgement, and self-criticism can be a positive place to start. Then working towards letting go of the thoughts after we acknowledge them, and maybe even telling ourselves it's ok to have that thought regardless of what it is. Remind yourself or even say this aloud, "it's only a thought", this is an affirmation statement that offers a boundary around a thought we don't want. Reminding yourself this by using the strength of your voice can help you HEAR and come clear on what truly matters. This can create distance from those thoughts, and it's a step towards change.

Remember that MINDFULNESS is a practice, and when we create a steady daily practice, it cultivates a consistent practice and mastery of the skills involved. I share this to support you in understanding how it all works together, and to not give up if you have one day where you "give up", or "skip practice", or "practice in a not so perfected way." That's totally normal and ok. It's a focus on progress and not perfection along the journey.

Wisdom presents to us, after the emotional storm of anxiety when we can find the calm, tune inwards to hear it, and learn with it. This guides the changes in our lives that we desire, and often helps us learn what we need on all levels- emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Need help with managing your anxiety through a supportive connection? Or support with navigating your way through. Schedule a session here, let's talk through it in a calm, compassionate way to support you in reaching the goals you desire!

Creating change when anxious requires vulnerability and courage.