By Melody Smith, BA
Anxiety is a natural response to stressful situations, but chronic anxiety can disrupt the quality of your day-to-day life. The problem may be intensified by worrying about what to do about the anxiety rather than the anxiety itself.
Fortunately, there is a way to cope with anxiety that can be used in conjunction with traditional treatments of therapy and medication or as a standalone technique—yoga.
Yoga encompasses many elements used in current treatments such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, cognitive reframing, behavioral suggestions, concentration, and stress reduction. Individuals discover how to relax from physical tension as they move through each posture, or asana.
A yoga practice also includes breathing techniques to lower stress in the physical body and sends a message to the brain to promote a state of calmness. Basic movements and relaxation techniques support short-term anxiety reduction, allowing you to fully engage with other healing practices. This safe and inexpensive modality can also be used as a long-term outlet for managing anxiety.
The mind-body practice of yoga aids in our awareness of the link between our brains and bodies.
Simply increasing this awareness can decrease the frequency and severity of your anxious symptoms. For example, when your stress response is triggered, you may notice short, shallow breathing. This can heighten overall feelings of anxiety due to lowered oxygen levels in the blood. The practice of yoga can replace this reaction to stress by teaching you to take deep, slow breaths.
With practice, yoga enhances mind-body awareness and offers forms of relaxation that can be used as a healthy outlet. Techniques learned on the mat give individuals tools to use off the mat that can significantly support anxiety management. By combining yoga and therapeutic practices, you can obtain support for effective anxiety management and acquire the peace and serenity needed to move forward.
Start Working With an Anxiety Therapist Near Metuchen, New Jersey
Yoga can be a great way to help manage anxiety and stress. But, finding further support can help you find the root of your issues and cultivate positive change. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support with anxiety management from our Metuchen, NJ-based practice. Start your therapy journey with Mindful Connections Counseling by following these steps:
- Contact us to schedule phone consultation
- Meet with one of our caring therapists
- Start managing your anxiety in a healthier way!
Other Services Offered with Mindful Connections Counseling
Anxiety therapy isn’t the only service offered with Mindful Connections counseling. Our team is happy to offer support with a variety of mental health concerns in person and online . Other services offered include trauma therapy, grief counseling, disordered eating, mind body wellness, and cannabis-informed therapy. We are happy to offer support for both individuals and couples alike. We also offer support via child therapy, teen therapy, family therapy, and parent coaching. Feel free to visit our blog or FAQ for more helpful information
Other Resources
There are many online resources including videos and websites to help you get started at home. Here is one of my favorites–Gentle Yoga Flow: