12/03/2019
Avoidance becomes the primary, natural inclination when experiencing anxiety. If there are identified external problems, we avoid those. If there are none- if we feel anxious without knowing why- we seek to avoid the anxiety itself.
One of the results of avoidance (one of several) is that we foster neurological pathways that reinforce continued avoidance. Over time, this results in a life ruled by limitation, fear, and often shame. However, since we are not typically taught the nature of anxiety or how to contend with it, is it any wonder we fall back on avoidance strategies? What else do we have?
It is only when we learn why anxiety exists and how it functions in the mind and body that we can contend with it directly. Then, true and sustained relief becomes possible; our lives relax and expand with confidence. Psychotherapy, especially mindfulness-based practices, provide skillful means to this end.
