On Anxiety Tools & an Updated Approach to Wellness

Simple regulation practices that worked & compassionate takeaways that stuck (Part 3 of 4)

Although “the work” is ongoing, the tools I’ll share here are what helped me get to where I am now—which is, generally speaking, feeling much more equipped to manage, process, and regulate anxiety.

From personal experience—and from working with clients and students over the years—I find that when we’re equipped, we’re much more empowered. And when we’re empowered, we naturally feel we have more agency over our mind-body health.

Everyone’s story is different and everyone’s needs are unique. I’m sharing all of this not to toot the horn of any one practice, or to tell you exactly what you need to do to nourish yourself and heal. No one knows you better than you!

So take what resonates and toss the rest—and if you feel inspired, please share this with someone who might benefit from it. Let’s support our individual and collective mental wellbeing.

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TL;DR → the approach

Wellness—like food—is not the enemy. It’s how we approach it. As one of my first yoga teachers used to say: How we do anything is how we do everything.

I know from my own journey that wellness tools are still incredibly transformative. But they’ll probably be less effective—or not effective at all—if we use them as a way to control or fill a void; if we approach them from fear, anxiety, and lack.

If it’s useful to anyone else, here are the things I’ve been leaning into most since this anxiety-related discovery:

• Listen to yourself. It takes getting quiet and pausing, and it’s worth it.
• Trust your decisions and intuitions. Doubt creates more anxiety.
• Remember that the body is really smart. We can learn to trust and listen to it.
• Recognize that healing is non-linear. A constant personal reminder.
• Understand that highs and lows are normal. It doesn’t mean you messed up.
• Remember that you matter. You’re important just as you are, “healthy” or not.
• Give yourself permission to keep exploring and keep going. A lifelong quest!

Onward

What’s your experience with anxiety—whether with yourself or watching someone you care about move through it? What’s helped?

Let’s connect and support each other. And book a free assessment call if you feel like I might be able to support you.

Stay tuned for Part 4 next week—I’ll share specific tools and practices that made a difference in processing and regulating the anxiety that was wiping me out.

Take good care,

S