Here is a Mindfulness exercise you can try when you are experiencing anxiety. (Do this with caution, don’t do this while operating a motorized vehicle). Imagine you are in a crowded store or any place that has caused crippling anxiety in the past.
The first thing you can do is remind yourself where you are. Say to yourself “I am in my favorite grocery store.” you can ask yourself is this a place where you are safe. Let’s do some concrete thinking. Concrete thinking is when you check the facts.
Where are you, are you safe. Do you have control of yourself?
While you are performing concrete thinking
Take slow, calm, deep breaths, as you take each breath, ask yourself about the following;
1. Are you, in control of yourself?
2. Are you in a safe place?
3. Do you have the power to decide what to do next?
You can also look around and find things to focus on.
Forcing yourself to re-examine your surroundings and taking calm, slow, deep breaths are a way of grounding yourself.
Mindfulness has been an exercise just like any other exercise. It requires practice. If I decided to run a 10k marathon, I would not get very far, but over time and practice, you can do Mindfulness techniques any place where you are feeling anxiety.
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