Feeling anxious is something extremely common.
We all feel anxious at some point throughout our day.
What we do when we're anxious is extremely important.
If we tend to avoid the feeling,
It doesn't usually work.
Because whatever we postpone in the moment,
We're booking in for the future.
Sometimes we avoid the anxious feelings because we take drugs.
Sometimes we drink.
Sometimes we put on Netflix.
Sometimes we'll strike up a habit or an old conversation just to avoid the feelings in the moment.
It's completely understandable.
It's highly uncomfortable feeling anxious.
But if you are feeling anxious today,
I'd like you to try something different.
I'd like you to close your eyes and take a deep breath in through the nose and back out through the mouth.
And again in through the nose.
And out through the mouth.
And one more time.
In through the nose.
And out through the mouth.
Keeping your eyes closed,
I'd like you to drop your shoulders.
Relax your jaw.
Taking any sighs or deep breaths that you need,
I'd like you to keep relaxing.
I want you to imagine that your body is slightly heavy and everything is falling deeper into the ground.
I'd like you to recognise in your body where you feel anxious.
Is it in your head,
The shoulders or your neck?
Maybe it's in the rib cage or the stomach.
Maybe even just the hands.
Just recognise where in the body you feel the anxiety.
More often than not it's more than one place.
You can feel like a strong build up or a heavy feeling.
You can feel tight,
Painful or just a deep,
Deep unnerving feeling.
It can be hard recognising this feeling.
You're very uncomfortable.
But trust me,
This feeling has a life of its own.
This feeling is longing for you.
To recognise it.
To embody it.
To see it and to feel it.
This feeling is here for you to grow.
It's pointing you in a direction where you need to heal.
I'd like you to keep your mind still.
Try and focus on this feeling.
Go deeper into the feeling.
Imagine you're pushing through the feeling.
I know it can feel hard.
Feels unusual and strange because we're not used to feeling this feeling.
Usually we'd pull away,
We'd move past it or create some kind of distraction.
You just need to keep going deeper.
Because the way you went into this feeling you should know there's also an exit to this feeling.
There's two sides,
There's a beginning and an end.
So just as you began to feel the feeling you will also start to feel the feeling end.
Just keep going through the feeling.
Tears may come.
You may feel stressed or tired.
You may be annoyed or bored.
You may feel relieved.
You may feel calm yet highly strong.
Just keep feeling this feeling.
Processing it.
Try not to think about it too much,
Just feel it rather than think.
When you're in the feeling I'd like you to just hold your breath for just a moment.
And as you hold your breath I'd like you to concentrate the breath.
As you hold it I'd like you to push into that feeling a little bit more.
Go deeper and deeper,
Keep holding that breath,
Go into the feeling and let go.
Putting pressure on the feeling brings more awareness to it.
If you feel like you're on the other side of the feeling now I'd like you to just take it slowly.
But if you're still feeling the feeling keep doing so.
Just embrace whatever's coming up.
And for those of you that have taken a deep breath in and gone right into that feeling I want you to remind yourself how grateful you are for facing this feeling.
It's not easy.
It's very very hard some days.
And the fact that you've just faced what you're really feeling is a power move.
It's this kind of emotional discipline that helps us heal.
If you're starting to come out the other side now I want you to remember that you can do this practice at any time with any feeling.
It doesn't just have to be anxiety.
You can do the same with depression,
With anger,
With any form of fear.
Just connecting and being present with yourself allows these feelings to flow through you and to leave you.
I want you to know that I love you.
I feel those feelings too.
You are not on your own.
Your ability to sit with who you are is your greatest strength.
Your freedom does not lie within your passport or your travelling.
Your freedom is found when you're able to sit with all that you are without trying to run from yourself.
And whenever you close your eyes remember that you're at home.
And sometimes guests of emotions will knock on your door and they'll ask to come in.
The idea is to open the door,
Welcome all of these emotions.
Sit with them,
Embrace them,
Talk to them sometimes and then gently let them go.
Now you've finished your practice.
I'd like you to ask yourself this question.
What was that feeling trying to tell me?
What lesson did I learn or what did I need to know?
If you haven't thought of the answer yet just give it time.
Doesn't always come up straight away.
Just be gentle with yourself.
Allow the answer to reveal itself to you.
In the meantime thank yourself.
You've done an amazing job.
Thank you for feeling your feelings with me.
You're brave.
I honour you.
I see you.
It's a joy to work with you.
Have a great day.
