This makes it difficult to use meditation to manage my anxiety.
What can I do?
Why anxiety affects breath.
Fight-or-flight is a natural self-preservation technique, and it actually means the body is functioning appropriately.
Our job is to figure out what’s causing that stress response and begin to manage it.
How to manage the breath when breathing makes you anxious.
Meditation and slowing of the mind can be challenging for a lot of reasons.
My best advice if you’re struggling with it?
Don’t do it.
Anyone who becomesmoreanxious while focusing on the breath may benefit from movement meditation instead.
The process of moving helps the anxious person get out of their head and into their body.
If that feels scary or uncomfortable, go back to focusing on the feet.
Therapeutically, that 20-minute walk is all it takes to reduce anxiety.
If you want to try another strategy,breathworkcould also help.
Bottom line.
If the practice doesn’t feel comfortable to you, try practicing grounding movement meditations instead.
If you’re able, consider practicing breathwork as well, to help you feel more in control.
