The Energy of Anxiety & Stopping the Cycle
What we recognize as a worry is actually the story we associate with the sensations released when our human system reacts to something that is real or reminiscent of danger.
When we are in danger, or under threat in some way, our very intricate and sensitive bodies and subtle anatomy sends signals through our nervous system which create sensations that the thinking mind then attributes a meaning to.
What this meaning is, depends largely on our past experiences and the stories or ‘narratives’ that we have available to overlay upon the sensation we are sent.
This is a necessary and protective mechanism for our wellbeing & survival, but our nervous system can easily become overloaded in this increasingly busy, at times (eg, 2020!) complicated, and challenging world.
This is more and more often, leading to our system sending out sensations of alarm that are out of proportion with the actual events we are connecting with. The mind then may in turn add an overly dramatic story to a sensation that has been mismatched with the actual seriousness of a situation. In a way, it has become conditioned for drama through the stories it has been exposed to. This becomes a cyclic pattern of reaction, rather than a helpful and necessary response.
This is why the emotional content of anxiety can sometimes be labeled ‘out of proportion’. Really, it is more accurate to say that it is an overloaded response.
Things that ten to overload our nervous systems can be one or more of the following:
Lack of nurturing sleep
Poor diet
Not enough time to rest
Too busy - no chance to slow down
Concern for our safety
A traumatic event or events in the recent or distant past
Concern for greater society
Built in sensitivity - our nervous systems are all built differently
Overworking
Expectations of others
Our own expectations
Over/miss-use of drugs and alcohol
Physical Illness
Head injury
Mental Illness
So, from the point of view of Yoga, any and all emotion begins as energy. In fact, if you really break it down. Emotion… E-Motion stands for Energy (in) Motion. If we do not attribute meaning to the sensation, it remains just that - a sensation. Like, if something burns you - you pull away. There is not much story attached to that event. If something gets stuck in your eye, it waters and you wipe it out - not much story there either.
When we move into the arena of worry about something, it is a recurring story surrounding a present or past sensation of fear. And when the worry gets really persistent - and almost always more and more distant from an actual ‘event’ it moves into the realm of Anxiety.
When we are dealing with anxiety - it is difficult and usually not very effective to try and ‘think our way out’ of it. More thinking and the adding of more story often leads to the anxiety becoming more entrenched. It is a lot more effective to deal with anxiety at its root source - the energy of it.
How do we deal with the Energy of Anxiety and any unhelpful recurring emotion?
With the breath
Through Yogic Breathwork
By deeply relaxing
With systematic relaxation like Yoga Nidra, Guided Shavasana, Carefully Prescribed Meditation, Reiki, Massage Therapy etc.
Mindful Asana Practices
The first steps can be as simple as taking a few mindful slower breaths through your nostrils. Setting time aside to relax without media or entertainment, can also really help. Just 20m a day of relaxation can make a huge difference to how we roll with the ups and downs of life.
And, if you need more support and guidance, Reaching out to a professional can be really beneficial.
Anxiety Support with Golden Soul
Our next course providing skills and techniques that dissolve anxiety begins July 5th. It is offered simultaneously In Studio, Online via Zoom and via recording if that suits you better.
FREEDOM FROM ANXIETY - A BREATHWORK & RELAXATION SERIES
By Swami Premajyoti Saraswati