Anxiety impacts an estimated 4% of the global population. It’s one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. While it can vary in severity, it can sometimes be so overwhelming that it depletes your quality of life and makes it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.
If there’s a silver lining to anxiety being so prominent, it’s that there are many different treatment options. Therapy is, undoubtedly, one of the best ways to manage — and potentially get rid of — anxiety. Medications are also a popular route, but they’re not for everyone.
When it comes to managing anxiety on a daily basis, though, one of the best things you can do is to meditate.
There are some common misconceptions and stereotypes about meditation that you’ll need to overcome before giving it a try. Once you do, you’ll quickly see why it’s so effective in managing anxiety.
Meditation Myths
So many people don’t want to get started with meditation because of how it’s often portrayed in the media. You don’t have to sit in a specific position. You don’t have to “chant” or say anything while you’re meditating. Meditation also isn’t something that takes hours each day if you want to “achieve” anything.
You can choose to meditate at any time, anywhere. If you only have a few minutes of quiet to get it done each day, that’s still very worthwhile and can be helpful when it comes to anxiety management.
A Physical Release
Anxiety is a mental health condition, but many of the symptoms can manifest themselves through physical problems. It’s not uncommon for people with anxiety to deal with muscle tension, aches and pains, headaches, and even digestive issues.
Meditation can provide a physical release that makes it easier to manage those symptoms. It naturally works to release stress within the body. The less tense your muscles feel, the less likely you are to store stress in the body and feel pain.
Letting Go of Negative Patterns
Anxiety often gets fueled by negative “what if” thoughts. Fear stems from the unknown, and once you find yourself in that vicious cycle, it’s hard to escape on your own.
Meditation can help.
When you meditate, you can learn to let go of negative thought patterns that keep you in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. When those thoughts start to creep in, you can let them pass you by like a cloud you can’t grab onto, rather than letting it invade your mental space. Letting go of the stream of negative thoughts that threaten to crowd your mind is a wonderful way to feel like you have more control over your anxiety.
Taking Back Control
Speaking of gaining control, it’s one of the best ways to actively fight back against anxiety. Feeling like you’re in control strips away a lot of the “unknown” thoughts. Even if they still start to creep in, you’ll recognize that you’re stronger than any potential fear that wants to wreak havoc on your mind.
Meditation is a form of mindfulness. It allows you to focus on the present moment, rather than stressing over the past or future. When you choose to remain present, you’re less likely to fall into the trap of fearful thoughts.
Getting the Help You Need
It’s not always easy to get started with meditation on your own. While you shouldn’t get caught up on a right or wrong way to do it, you also don’t need to feel like it’s something you should walk blindly into.
Consider using a guided meditation app or watching a few videos online to help you get into the right headspace. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about anxiety therapy. Going to therapy to work through your anxiety while practicing meditation at home could be the combination you need to take back control.