How to Control Anxiety Through Counselling and Psychotherapy
Have you ever felt like your mind is racing from the stress of the day?
Is it difficult to enjoy an amazing dinner, a date, or a movie without checking your phone or worrying about what is happening at work?
I have a little trick to combat anxiety: It’s called mindfulness.
In counselling and psychotherapy treatment, part of the evidence-based treatment we use actually originates from ancient Buddhist practice and is one of the seven steps leading to spiritual enlightenment. In psychology, we can use the benefits of mindfulness to our advantage.
Imagine yourself cooking a delicious dinner. Your senses awaken as you start chopping foods, you start breathing in the aromas of the ingredients, and you see the bright beautiful colours of the vegetables. You enjoy throwing the foods into the pot/pan/slow cooker etc, hearing them sizzle as they cook, and smelling the scents all mix together.
Then, you enjoy bursts of flavour as you savour each and every bite.
The experience is sensory, delightful, and takes you away from the chatter in your mind. You are fully present in that moment. Can you imagine cooking the same meal while worrying about what happened at work today? It likely wouldn’t be the same experience.
Mindfulness doesn’t come naturally – it has to be encouraged.
But when it comes, it improves relaxation, enjoyment, decreases overall anxiety, and helps you feel more fulfilled. This is why it’s important to concentrate on something mindful each and every day.
Here are some examples of things in my own life I’ve found to be ‘mindful’ activities:
- Cooking and baking (of course!)
- Drinking a delicious and aromatic cup of tea
- Taking a bubble bath
- Swimming (alone)
- Practicing an individual sport like martial arts or gymnastics
- Playing the piano
- Making and creating art
I encourage you to do something mindful each day this week. Feel free to add to the list of suggestions with your own.
