Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
If you are experiencing increased anxiety this year, know that you aren’t alone. Anxiety is the most common issue we see in clinical practice and thankfully, through education and skills building, most people are able to learn to manage it effectively and reclaim their lives. Below are some resources I have gathered this year.
Books
Mind-Body Workbook for Anxiety, Stanley Block, MD, and Carolyn Bryant Block
Mind-Body Workbook for Anxiety, Stanley Block, MD, and Carolyn Bryant Block
I have used the Mind-Body Bridging system and related skillsets in my practice and personally for many years. The technique is surprisingly simple with profound results. It is both a cognitive and somatic tool that shifts your identification with anxious thoughts and feelings while allowing the body to relax and let go of unconscious tension.
Mind-body bridging is an evidence-based method of self-help that teaches how to calm strong emotions such as anxiety, anger, cravings and more. The method helps you become aware of anxious thoughts and teaches how to experience them without pushing them away, using your physical senses to become more grounded and relaxed.
Yoga for Anxiety and PTSD
Apps for Meditation, Guided Imagery and More
Photo by Blaz Erzetic on Unsplash
Insight Timer App: Sleep, Anxiety Stress and Self-Help Courses
Liberation Meditation App: for the Black, Indigenous & People of Color Community
Calm App: Sleep, Stress Reduction, Self Improvement
Nature Therapy & Forest Bathing
Diana Beresford-Kroeger “Call of the Forest” a beautiful film where science, nature and art coalesce. It moved me very deeply, I watched it twice! She speaks to the benefit of forest bathing aka taking a walk in nature. She wants everyone to plant trees!
Renee Podunovich “Healing Self / Healing Earth” guided imagery. If you can’t get out for some reason, enjoy my guided imagery on connecting through imagination to your favorite natural place.
Available free on the homepage or at the link above.
See my blog post on using Mindful Self-Compassion as a way to enhance your effectiveness in learning new skills for decreasing stress and anxiety. For most of us, harsh self criticism can be part of anxiety and stress and can inhibit our ability to effectively manage the symptoms. Learning to apply self-compassion can be valuable to our success in calming ourselves.
