Like many, I often suffer from anxiety. Some times are worse than others, but regardless, they happen and it’s an evil thing. I get it when I have to go to the dentist; I get it when I’m in an elevator; I just get it from time to time.
So the question lies – what do I do to combat anxiety?
Easy answer – yoga.
No joke. When I’m consistent with my practice, my anxiety is less. When I’m consistent with my practice, I can handle my anxiety better. When I’m consistent with my practice, anxiety has no place.
So with that, I’m re-committing to my practice; I’m re-committing to yoga; I’m re-committing to me.
Do you battle anxiety? How do you handle it?
I have to share my yoga experience from last week. My old studio (don’t have a membership anymore) does these $5 karma classes once a week. Last week’s class was a power sculpt (hot yoga + weights) class, that I tried when they first rolled it out and LOVED. It was a perfect blend of yoga for anxiety/stress reduction + a killer workout. BUT they changed instructors. And you know what doesn’t belong in a yoga studio? A barking dog. (and classmates that TALK THE WHOLE TIME). Needless to say Jillian Michaels should not be in a yoga studio and that’s kind of what happened. Music was too loud. Yelling at your class participants is probably not advised …
I am definitely guilty of letting my anxiety get the best of me. Luckily, I’m discovering new ways to deal with it instead of just burying my feelings in food like I’ve done in the past. It also helps that the weather is getting nicer…I find so much peace in a simple walk around my neighborhood on a nice sunny day. I swear I have the worst time with seasonal depression…every mole hill turns into a mountain during the cold months! Ugh, one of these days when I make millions off my pancake recipes, I’ll be able to “fly south” for the winter! Lol
I deal with anxiety a lot. I really need to find a good yoga studio… or just move you down here to teach me! 😉 My daily devotional has really been helping with my anxiety, but I think yoga would really help to calm me.
PS… just come to my office next time… no dental anxiety needed. 😉
Oh man…next time for sure! I’m going back on Tuesday for more ( 🙁 ) but I’m thankful this dentist was VERY friendly and understanding of my anxiety. Oh and yes…please let’s live closer! Neighbors? 😉
Oh honey. (I don’t know why I just called you honey. I don’t call anyone honey. But we’re going with it.) I have suffered from anxiety my whole life and never knew how to ‘name’ it until recently. I don’t know that yoga is helping yet, since I’m still learning the poses and how to breathe, etc., but I find that running helps right now. The effects for me are usually not being able to sleep. I wake up constantly. I have other moments of the fear feelings, or the feelings of being completely overwhelmed that just wash over out of nowhere, too.
I’m glad you are recommitting to your practice.
(I sounded like a yogi there. :))
Honey, you’re totally a yogi! 😉
Daily meditation. Yoga on occasion (but I need to do it more – ditto with exercise).
Writing always. Tends to push out those evil toxins of thought.
RICK
Writing is such a beautiful release!
Yoga is a great way to combat anxiety. I wish I had time to seriously practice more than once a week. I do stretch on a daily basis (which includes a few poses), but it’s not quite the same. I have tried learning a few basic breathing exercises when I feel my anxiety levels rising. It actually work really well for me–I just have to remember to do it!
I really need to commit more than once a week, it’s a work in progress!
I definitely deal with anxiety and I think one thing that really helps is intense workouts, but I have an issue where my anxiety seems to happen at night…not the greatest time to go for a run outside and for some reason I talk myself out of going to the gym at certain times of the day….like at midnight. And I feel weird about doing any jumping/cardio type workouts in my apartment because of the people below me…life is hard haha.
Something else that helps, and what I’ve had to rely on heavily lately is comedic tv shows or movies. I think just focusing on something else rather than the seemingly large issue helps PLUS the whole laughter is the best medicine thing. Thank the Lord for Netflix!! 🙂
Yes, I have terrible anxiety!! I really need to start doing yoga!
YES – YOGA – DO IT!
I don’t think I deal with anxiety much
But when I do feel overwhelmed by something i try to take deep breathes
and calm myself back down
I want to meditate and do yoga more though!
My mantra is “just breathe” – sounds like yours is too! 😉
i couldn’t agree more! yoga and my daily devotional time help so much! I need to get back into go ASAP, i mean on regular basis.
Regular basis is key and something I need to get back to as well. Maybe starting tonight?
Cardio is my anxiety/stress reliever. When I feel like I’m about to pull my hair out or I’m close to tears, I go for a run or a long walk. The relief is almost instant!