Probably something you didn’t know about me is that anxiety still creeps in from time to time. It used to be a much bigger struggle in my past, but through my meditation and mindfulness practice—along with other healing modalities—I’ve learned how to support myself when it arises.

I used to feel completely overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, caught up in the spiral of what ifs and worst-case scenarios. Anxiety wasn’t just in my mind—it showed up in my body, in the way my breath became shallow, in the tension in my shoulders, in the restless energy that made it hard to settle. I thought the goal was to “get rid of it,” but over time, I realized that the key wasn’t in eliminating anxiety—it was in learning how to meet it with awareness and compassion.

How Anxiety Affects Us

Anxiety pulls us out of the present and into an uncertain future. It triggers our nervous system into fight, flight, or freeze, making it hard to think clearly, breathe deeply, or feel grounded.

I remember a time when my anxiety felt all-consuming. I was sitting in my home, overwhelmed—being a single parent, dealing with a difficult ex, and the weight of the responsibilities I carried. My breath was fast, my mind was spiraling, and I felt completely untethered. But then, I did something simple—I placed a hand over my heart and took a deep breath. Inhale… exhale. I whispered to myself, “I am here. I am safe. I am present.” I reached for my lavender and frankincense essential oils, rubbing a few drops onto my palms, inhaling their grounding scents. And slowly, my body remembered: I was okay. I didn’t need to fix everything in that moment. I just needed to be.

These small practices—breathing, grounding, aromatherapy, movement—are what help me come back to center when anxiety pulls me away.

What Can We Do?

Instead of resisting anxiety, we can meet it with awareness, soothe the nervous system, and bring ourselves back to the present.

✨ Ground into the body – Anxiety pulls us into the mind, so bringing attention to the body can be an anchor. Try pressing your feet into the floor, rolling your shoulders, or lightly tapping your arms to bring yourself back to now.

✨ Breathe intentionally – The breath is a direct way to calm the nervous system. Try this: Inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for six counts. This signals to your body that it’s safe to relax.

✨ Use aromatherapy to calm the nervous system – Essential oils can support emotional balance by directly affecting the limbic system, which regulates stress responses. Try:

• Lavender – Eases tension and promotes relaxation.
• Frankincense – Encourages deep breathing and grounding.
• Bergamot – Lifts the mood while calming the mind.
• Chamomile – Soothes nervous energy and promotes tranquility.

If you’d like an easy way to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine, my Reiki Stress Relief Roll-On with Lavender, Frankincense, and Bergamot essential oils is available for $9 at my Scentering Aromatherapy Store. It’s perfect for moments of stress and anxiety, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation wherever you are.
🛒 Get yours here

✨ Name what’s happening – Sometimes just saying “This is anxiety. I am feeling anxious, but I am not my anxiety.” can create enough space to step out of the spiral.

✨ Find small moments of stillness – Whether it’s a quiet moment with your tea, a walk outside, or a short meditation, these pauses help reset the nervous system.

✨ Connect with support – Anxiety feels heavier when we carry it alone. Talking with someone, sharing space in a meditation circle, or even knowing you’re not alone in this experience can be powerful.

March Meditation Theme: Finding Calm, Strength & Clarity in Uncertain Times

If anxiety has been feeling heavy for you, I want you to know this: You are not broken. You are not failing. You are human.

Throughout March, our daily meditations will focus on the theme of Finding Calm, Strength & Clarity in Uncertain Times. Each day, I’ll be sharing a different meditation technique to help you cultivate steadiness and ease, no matter what’s happening around you.

I invite you to join me for live daily meditation at 8:30 AM CT or Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM CT. You can also sign up to receive the recordings if you can’t attend live.

Our online yoga teachers—Sabine, Dawn, and Laura—also offer classes designed to help you release tension, move with mindfulness, and find peace in your body.

Whatever you’re feeling, know that you don’t have to hold it alone. Visit peacefulwellness.studio to learn more.

Sending you ease and gentleness.

~ Deb

I make my posts now on Substack and then later I add them to the website. If you want to stay up-to-date with me, follow me on Substack.