As someone who has struggled with anxiety for most of my life, I've tried a lot of different approaches to managing my symptoms. One of the most powerful tools I've found has been mindfulness meditation, which I discovered through Sarah Wilson's book, "First We Make the Beast Beautiful."
At first, the idea of meditation seemed daunting to me. I didn't think I could sit still for more than a few minutes, let alone quiet my mind enough to meditate. But as I read more about the benefits of mindfulness for managing anxiety, I decided to give it a try.
I started with just a few minutes of meditation each day, using guided meditations from an app on my phone. At first, I found it challenging to focus on my breath and stay present in the moment. My mind kept wandering to my to-do list, my worries, and my fears.
But over time, I began to notice a shift. I found that when I practiced mindfulness meditation regularly, I was better able to manage my anxiety throughout the day. I felt more grounded and centered, and I was able to respond to stressful situations with more calm and clarity.
In her book, Wilson writes, "Mindfulness is not a tool for avoiding difficult emotions; it's a tool for changing our relationship to them." This resonated with me deeply, as I had always tried to avoid or push away my anxious thoughts and feelings. But through mindfulness meditation, I learned to observe my thoughts and feelings without judgment or resistance, and this allowed me to find more peace and acceptance in the present moment.
Mindfulness meditation has become an essential part of my self-care routine, and it's a tool that I return to again and again in my journey with anxiety. If you're struggling with anxiety, I highly recommend giving mindfulness meditation a try. It may feel daunting at first, but with practice, it can be a powerful tool for transforming your relationship to anxiety and finding more peace in your life.