Meditation as an Anti-Anxiety Tool
7 Science-based Ways a Daily Meditation Practice Eases the Pressure of Life-ing
Life moves fast. Many clients share that it feels like running non-stop on a treadmill. A close friend said she’s comparing life to an endurance contest - family, aging parents, career, and balancing health issues. (Sound familiar? To me, too.)
Juggling work, family, health, and fun makes it hard to find balance. Constant demands on our nervous system keep our brains and bodies on high alert. That’s draining – leading to anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling lethargic and joyless. And who can say no to more peace and joy?!
How Meditation supports “Life-ing”
People ask, “Where do you get your sense of calm, grounding, and peace?”
Well, first off, thank you – but I’m not always calm or peaceful. Life keeps on life-ing no matter what mood we’re in, and the ever-changing adjustment to change and uncertainty is simply part of being human.
That said, there’s no question that my daily practice of breathwork, meditation, movement, and reflection helps tremendously. I can literally feel my dysregulated nervous system turn back to calm regulation after only a few minutes.
When I look back over the years, my daily meditation practice has been (and continues to be) one of the most definitively powerful and practical tools for calming my nervous system and retuning to a sense of centeredness.
Below are 7 science-based ways Meditation helps ease anxiety.
- When you “go within,” you release stress, fatigue, and toxins.
- Increases feelings of relaxation and peace that help decrease anxiety.
- Reduces painful emotions that limit awareness (hostility, anger, guilt, fear, shame, and depression).
- Opens the door to healthy emotions such as love, compassion, joy, and gratitude.
- Boosts your ability to respond (mindful) vs react (pre-conditioned/old habits).
- Increases focus and memory.
- Decreases harmful, addictive behavior.
Those are only a few of the mental and emotional benefits of meditation.
Start Small for Success
If you don’t already have a daily practice, I encourage you to start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. Even 5-10 minutes of daily meditation will make a difference. Miss a day? Pick it right back up the next.
The awareness you’ll experience naturally supports healthier choices in movement, nutrition, and self-care. And those healthier choices lead to less anxiety. We’ll take more of that, please!
In peace and health,
Additional Suggested Reading:
Continue Your Journey
Geneviève Nedder
About the Owner
Geneviève Nedder is the director and founder of Body Fundamentals, Inc., a Pilates & Wellness business founded in 1996. She is a Master Pilates Educator and Mentor and a certified Perfect Health Lifestyle Teacher. Trained by Dr. Deepak Chopra and his team at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, she is also an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant and Certified Health Coach. She specializes in the mind-body connection.
