08:01

Releasing Anxiety

by Vanessa Michele

Rated
4.7
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
63.3k

In this practice, Vanessa guides you to release anxiety in the moment. Take a moment to slow down, observe what you are experiencing, and find space to breathe in order to soften the moment of anxiety.

AnxietyRelaxationBody ScanBreathingSelf CompassionGroundingMuscle RelaxationBreathing AwarenessHeart

Transcript

Gently close your eyes as you settle into this space.

Allow yourself to arrive just as you are without trying to force any feelings or sensations away.

Just honoring the way you are in this moment.

Often times when we are experiencing episodes of anxiety,

This will manifest in the body in a physical form.

So what do you feel in your body?

Just notice and try not to resist,

Just feel.

As you continue to check in here,

Notice what shows up.

Scattered thoughts,

Tightness of the chest,

Clenching of muscles within the body.

Again,

Try not to force these feelings away,

Instead just feel and soften.

Throughout this entire practice,

Perhaps you hold on to that idea of just softening,

Letting go of the resistance and really take that time to feel.

I breathe in relaxation.

I breathe out tension.

Repeat these words to yourself.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling here now.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling here now.

As you become aware of your body here and now,

Just notice what structure is holding you up.

Feel the firm support of the floor beneath you,

Holding you up,

Allowing yourself to find and establish stability,

Security,

And safety where you are.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling safe and supported.

I invite you to scan your body from head to toe here in this moment.

Notice those areas where you are still holding on to tension,

Clenching,

Or tightening.

See if with every exhale you can begin to soften in those places.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling relaxed and at ease.

Bring your awareness to your forehead,

Taking inventory of the muscles along the brow.

Let go and soften in this space like ripples in a pond beginning to smooth over.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling freeing myself from stress.

Shift your awareness to your shoulders.

Notice if you can relax them away from the ears.

Allow the shoulder blades to slide down the back as they settle beside the natural curve of your thoracic spine.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling able to let go of the resistance.

Become aware of your heart.

If it feels okay perhaps you bring your right hand to the center of your chest and place your left hand on top of the right hand.

Feel the strength of your heartbeat.

Notice as the breath moves in the rate begins to increase,

But as you release the breath slowly the heart rate does the same.

Let go of any dis-ease within your heart space.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling present within this moment.

Bring your awareness to your chest and belly.

If it feels okay perhaps you bring one hand to your heart and the other hand to your belly.

As you gently hold yourself within this space,

Physically feel the breath moving in and out of the lungs.

Feel the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you bring greater ease to this space.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling safe and in control.

Taking another moment here to scan your body completely,

Continue to send softness to wherever you need it today.

As you give yourself permission to continue to find ease,

I invite you to change your perspective about whatever is causing you anxiety today.

How can you find softness around that thing or event?

Perhaps you cannot exactly identify a source,

Maybe you find a way to soften around the unknown.

Take a moment to acknowledge it and then gently release it,

Let it go.

I give myself permission to soften in this place.

Inhaling I am and exhaling free of anxiety.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and release it completely out of your mouth.

Know that you are not alone,

You are able to find and firmly root control within this moment.

You are in charge and you are able to release anxiety whenever you need to take that moment to pause.

When you are ready gently blink the eyes open and continue on with your day.

Meet your Teacher

Vanessa MicheleDurham, NC, USA

4.7 (7 437)

Recent Reviews

Edward

December 14, 2025

Wonderful! Your voice is inviting and doesn't distract. I'll be using your Meditation again.

Sara

November 1, 2025

Really helpful. I will use it again. Thank you so much 🙏

Alicia

September 1, 2025

Thanks, I do feel in control more after listening to this meditation.

Laura

August 30, 2025

This brought me out of my thoughts and into the present moment. Amazing and well-paced, perfect! Thank you and blessings!

Deb

June 13, 2025

This really helped me to ease my anxiety. Very calming. Thank you!

Jacob

May 6, 2025

Beautiful. Empowering. Releasing of the need to control anxiety and soften the angst. Thank you

Tyler

March 6, 2025

Really like this meditation and the teachers approach. Many mantras don’t fit and repeating them doesn’t thus help. Really identified with the mantras in this one thought. Thank you.

9Doves

March 2, 2025

A much needed session. Thank you for 8 minutes of blessed calm.🪷

Marquise

January 27, 2025

Very easy to engage in and helped me understand my anxiety better to release it easier.

Caron

November 21, 2024

A shorter practice especially nice if your pressed for time. Gentle reminder to breath into the present moment and release tensions inviting relaxation and ease.

Cindy

September 30, 2024

Thank you for sharing this wonderful meditation. It was just what I needed today.

Jeffrey

April 18, 2024

Perfect for a quick remedy to anxiety and stress. Thank you truly.

Lisa

March 18, 2024

I randomly chose this not feeling particularly anxious but quickly realized I was holding space for things I do not need. Thank you.

Rusty

March 12, 2024

I stumbled across this meditation just when I needed it. Thank you.

Summer

February 24, 2024

This was exactly what I needed in this moment, thank you ☺️

Raney

February 15, 2024

Unusual and unexpected breathing affirmations. Excellent!

Betsy

January 8, 2024

Really helped me focus on breathing and my heart and releasing stressful thoughts.

Alicia

January 7, 2024

Thank you. That helped me reset after a difficult night plagued by insomnia and waking from a dream in which I saw my dear aunt die suddenly. It was intense and I woke crying. This helped me calm.

Daisy

November 29, 2023

Truly beautiful! Thank you for sharing your high vibrations.

Donna

November 14, 2023

Very nice, calming! I’ll listen again. I need that today. Namaste, Donna

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© 2025 Vanessa Michele. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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