PERFECT Morning Everybody!
“Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strengths.” – Corrie Ten Boom
Worry and anxiety affects all of us, especially during times of pressure. Tens of millions of people suffer from anxiety. It is one of the most common mental health issues in the world. So if you experience it, know you are not alone. Anxiety makes people feel nervous, tense and overwhelmed. It evokes emotion such as worry, agitation and distress. It is felt in the mind, as well as the body. It manifests in many ways and is caused by our views, coping mechanisms and stress. It is often a response of future concerns. The mind can become anxious even without an identifiable fear.
Growing up, I worried about every little thing under the sun. I worried if I’d be able to sleep, if I’d be able to pass my math test and if I’d be accepted in grade school. As I grew up, these worries only intensified. I started worrying about where I would go to college, if I’d still be able to play football, and if I’d ever find the woman of my dreams. Fast forward to present day, and I still worry! I worry about sleeping through my 4:45am alarm every morning, about not meeting client expectations, and about not being able to accomplish everything I set out to achieve in this lifetime.
Fortunately, mindfulness and meditation practices are extremely effective in alleviating anxiety and have provided myself and millions of others with long-lasting relief from worry and anxiety. The truth is, worrisome thoughts are a part of everyday life and no matter how hard we try to control our thoughts, we cannot. The more we try to eliminate a thought, the bigger and more bothersome it becomes.
The point of power is always in the present. By resting our mind in present moment awareness, we get out of our heads and turn our focus to the here and now. When we focus our attention on the breath and the body, we offer our minds a chance to slow down and gain perspective. Mindfulness helps create space so were able to be less reactive to the content of our thoughts. This is why it is so useful in alleviating anxiety!
Enjoy what comes of today!
Rob
