Sometimes breathing is simple and effortless. And sometimes, taking a deep and fulfilling breath seems nearly impossible. When the walls are closing in and anxiety floods our brains, our bodies kick into high gear. Hearts race. Muscles tense.  Our bodies pump adrenaline through our veins to survive the crisis in front of us.

This natural defensive mechanism has served our ancestors for millennia, allowing them to escape natural disasters and fight off saber-tooth tigers.  In our modern society, we don’t face saber-tooth tigers.  Instead, the threats we face include an email from your boss asking for an update on a report or your teacher calling on you in class when you didn’t do your homework.  These threats activate our fight-or-flight system, meaning our bodies respond to them as if we were fighting for our lives.  Technology’s constant presence in our society allows those threats to invade nearly every aspect of lives.  Without the proper skills and boundaries, we can lose our ability to experience meaningful rest and separation from the day’s stress.  The result: anxiety.

Because our bodies naturally avoid pain, people with anxiety tend to distance themselves from stressful situations. Although this provides momentary relief, avoidance prevents problem-solving and often causes more anxiety down the road.