While we often think of anxiety as a mental health issue, it’s deeply rooted in our physical sensations. What do you notice physically when you’re anxious?
Connect with Yourself First
If you’re a parent of an anxious child, you might feel overwhelmed. Anxious kids often have anxious parents. Before you can be your child’s lighthouse, you need to connect with yourself first.
The Power of the Present Moment
Anxiety comes from worrying about the future or ruminating on the past, while mindfulness helps us stay grounded in the present moment. Mindfulness isn’t about shutting off from the world. It’s about integrating awareness into everyday activities, noticing thoughts as they arise, and recognizing that we have choices in how we feel, think, and behave.
Somatic mindfulness practices (like yoga) can effectively tone your vagus nerve, a key player in your nervous system. When regulated, the vagus nerve can help you feel relaxed, safe, trusting, flexible, creative, and loving.
Interrupting the Anxiety Cycle
When our alarm system gets stuck on, we may find ourselves reliving the past or projecting into the future. Somatic exercises can help us interrupt this cycle. By attuning to what our nervous system is telling us, we can choose how to respond rather than reacting automatically.
Movement As Release
Anxiety is often accompanied by a sense of impending doom, which can trigger a flight response. Keeping someone from moving when they feel threatened can trigger them to descend deeper into a state of anxiety.
Movement can help discharge that anxious energy.
These practices can help regulate our nervous systems and remind us what it feels like to be in a safe and social state. While we can’t eliminate all threats, we can reduce their impact through mindset shifts, somatic practices, and systemic change.
Quick Grounding Techniques
Here are some somatic exercises to incorporate into your daily routine. During the workshop I’ll guide you through a few longer practices.
If you have 5 seconds:
Swallow, wiggle your toes, put a hand on your heart or belly, look around, repeat a one-word affirmation, such as “love” or “patience.”
If you have 30 seconds: Roll your shoulders, squeeze and release your fists, unroll your ears, slowly exhale, yawn, circle your tongue around inside your mouth, turn and look behind you.
In the 30-minute workshop below the paywall, you’ll gain tools for managing anxiety through mind and body-based practices…
I’ll explain the physical roots of anxiety,
offer grounding exercises, and
share techniques to help highly sensitive parents regulate their nervous systems.
We’ll also explore how mindful parenting can positively impact our neurodivergent children. Join me for practical tips, breathing for anxiety, and fun, simple exercises to foster a calm, connected family dynamic.
There’s also a booklet to accompany the workshop…
