5 Ways to Alleviate Anxiety

By Nicole Kwan

Yoga teacher recommended, therapist approved

“Sarah came to yoga in a very typical scenario where her anxiety was preventing her from succeeding,” says Meaghan Townsend, yoga instructor at Exhale in Los Angeles. Sound familiar? Anxiety is a part of being human. You can get the best of it if you remember that it’s about future projection. “Nothing can be dealt with at that very moment, so focus on actually being in the present,” says Townsend.

“Anxious thoughts can be addictive,” says Rebecca Stern, LMSW, a social worker at the Lower East Side Service Center in New York City. “It’s really important for people to be patient with themselves. It takes a long period of time to create a new pattern of thinking because anxious thoughts are your go-to thoughts.”

Stern believes that yoga allows you to know the real you by teaching you to embrace your weak and your strong areas. “Yoga refutes your inner self-critic. It’s about self-care and treating yourself with kindness,” she says.

1)    Do What You Can
The yoga teacher:
I’d rather you do yoga for 5 or 10 minutes than skip practicing because you don’t have a spare hour. Even if it’s only a few easy Down Dogs, just enjoy it.

The therapist:
Even giving yourself one minute to breath and tune into your thoughts is going to reduce anxiety because getting in touch with your feelings allows the body to relax.

2)    Start Small
The yoga teacher:
If your mind tends to wander during yoga class don’t beat yourself up. Showing up for class means that you are focused. Finding one moment where you aren’t thinking about what you’re having for dinner will evolve into two or three hour’s worth of moments. Do what you can.

The therapist:
Being kind to yourself and not focusing on what you’re doing wrong gives you the space to be comfortable.

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