Amid ever-changing information around the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing heightened stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n
Anxiety is not right, and it is not wrong. It is just part of the human experience, says Kristin Lothman, a mind-body counselor with Mayo Clinics Department of Integrative Medicine and Health.<\/p>\n
Healthy anxiety calls us into action to be safe, to take care of the people that we love and to arrive at the present moment experience with resilience.<\/p>\n
There are many strategies to manage anxiety, Lothman says. I recommend developing a self-care practice. Elements of that could include journaling, exercise, yoga, meditation and prayer.<\/p>\n
Another way to cope with anxiety is to practice mindfulness, Lothman says.<\/p>\n
Mindfulness is about paying attention on purpose to the present moment. And I believe mindfulness is a powerful tool we can use right now.<\/p>\n
Lothman adds that mindfulness is about focus and awareness. The best way I can connect is to not be distracted, to bepresent, to engage in eye contact, she says.<\/p>\n
To calm the body and mind, Lothman suggests a guided meditation _ a practice of relaxed concentration where you follow the instructions of a narrator related to breathing and imagery. Breathing exercises are also valuable, especially for younger children.<\/p>\n
You might practice these three or four times a day. Maybe not the entire meditation but even if you can get in 10 breaths that may be enough to notice a shift in your inner experience, Lothman says.<\/p>\n
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See original here: Amid ever-changing information around the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing heightened stress and anxiety. Anxiety is not right, and it is not wrong Continue reading
\nCOVID-19: Tips for mindfulness and coping with anxiety - The Union Leader<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"