Mastering Anxiety: Strategies for a Calmer Mind

“Anxiety arises from a fear of the unknown or an obsession that something will go wrong. When this state of mind persists over a long period, it becomes harmful and prevents us from performing our normal daily activities. A yogi, being more aware of this state, can control it better than most of us.”

Strategies for a Calmer Mind

The First Step: Almost all of us experience anxiety; for some, it is manageable, while for others, it is an unbearable pain. It is a state of mind where we are continuously thinking that something bad will happen or we will lose something. The first step is to become aware of this state of mind. We usually become one with these thoughts, but awareness of them will reduce their impact, allowing us to control them before they spiral out of control.

We need to train our minds every day to be aware of our thoughts so that when anxiety arises, we can address it effectively. Spend some time each day in silence, simply observing your thoughts. Don’t try to control them; instead, view them from a third-person perspective to understand what kinds of thoughts you are having.

Pranayama: When we are anxious, our heartbeat increases, and our breathing becomes rapid. This demonstrates how the mind affects the body. Conversely, the body can also influence the…