Anxiety and stress have become so rampant in today's world that they are often considered normal when, in fact, they are not. Throughout our lives, we face various stressors, and it is our nervous system that helps us cope with them. However, when stress and anxiety become chronic, the nervous system can become overstimulated, and free-floating anxiety can set in. This type of anxiety is often elusive and can feel as if it's always lurking just beneath the surface. In this blog post, we'll explore what free-floating anxiety is and how it affects the nervous system. Plus, we'll look at how mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga can be effective tools for resetting the nervous system.
In the simplest terms, free-floating anxiety is anxiety that has no apparent cause or a specific triggering event. It's a pervasive sense of unease that floats freely, often without any clear reason. This type of anxiety can cause a lot of discomfort and can be debilitating for some people. It can affect our sleep, our work, and our relationships. Over time, chronic free-floating anxiety can lead to an overactive nervous system, which can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms.
Some of the common signs and symptoms of a frazzled nervous system include fatigue, irritability, insomnia, muscle tension, digestive issues, and difficulty concentrating. If left unchecked, these symptoms can snowball, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Fortunately, there are ways to reset the nervous system and ease the symptoms of free-floating anxiety.
Mindfulness meditation is an effective tool for calming the nervous system. This type of meditation involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help us become more aware of our physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts without getting swept up in them. Over time, mindfulness meditation can help reduce the intensity and frequency of free-floating anxiety symptoms.
Gentle yoga and movement practices are other effective ways to reset the nervous system. Yoga postures can help release physical tension and increase body awareness. Deep breathing practices and slow, intentional movements can help calm the nervous system and regulate our stress response. Yoga can also improve our ability to focus, be present, and reduce negative thinking patterns, all of which can help alleviate free-floating anxiety symptoms.
To summarise, free-floating anxiety is a pervasive type of anxiety that can impact our nervous system in a negative way. Chronic anxiety can lead to an overactive nervous system and a range of physical and emotional symptoms. However, there are effective ways to reset the nervous system and alleviate free-floating anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga practices are two such methods that have been proven to be effective in calming an overstimulated nervous system.
Inessentia will be having a retreat day at the Sanctuary of healing, in Langho, Blackburn, Lancashire, on July 30th, 2023. At this yoga retreat day, we offer a safe and supportive space for those seeking to reset their nervous system and find relief from free-floating anxiety (or general ‘tetchiness’!). Join us and experience the transformative power of mindfulness and gentle yoga.
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