How to Protect Yourself From Anxiety and Stress

Try as I might, like every other human, I find there's no way to avoid
anxiety and stress. I understand the old adage that "FEAR is False Expectations Appearing Real." But I still find my brain and body reacting to certain stimuli by clenching, tightening, shutting down, dropping out, or fighting back when there's not truly any need. I'm involuntarily caught up in behaving as if  "the best defense is a good offense." Dang, I know that prolonged anxiety and persistent stress are, in fact, the enemies of good health. And I still lose my cool.

"When we're afraid, there’s a practice that can help us stay grounded in the present, instead of getting hijacked by panic and “worst-case scenario” thinking. And that practice is mindfulness. In this video, Tara Brach, PhD will explain how mindfulness disrupts the neurobiology of fear, and she does it with a powerful metaphor that will help you remember what's happening in a  moment you find difficult." This teaching comes from the NICABM blog. You can check it out here: https://www.nicabm.com/blog/

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

The Types of Mindfulness Practice

"While mindfulness is innate, it can be cultivated through proven techniques. Here are some examples:

1. Seated, walking, standing, and moving meditation (it’s also possible lying down but often leads to sleep);
2. Short pauses we insert into everyday life;
3. Merging meditation practice with other activities, such as yoga or sports."

Read more here:  Mindful.org