We’re less than a week away from the most monumental election in modern day history and most of us can agree that this season of our lives has had enough chaos to last a lifetime. In my practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor, I’m passionate about helping my clients lean into mindfulness.

Mindfulness can be a powerful coping mechanism, and I’ve watched the practice help individuals through eating disorder recovery, anxiety, depression and trauma. In my work specifically, I love incorporating mindfulness with psychotherapeutic yoga and meditation to give clients a comprehensive mind-body healing experience.

As tensions continue to run high due to the election, COVID-19, racial injustice, and ongoing work-from-home/virtual learning, we as a society are in desperate need of ways to keep our cool and calm. That’s where mindful breathing comes into the picture!

Breathing exercises, in my opinion, are one of the most effective and reliable practices for stress management. And, while deep breathing seems so simple, it’s hardly utilized in our routines. How many of us can say it’s a consistent part of our daily practice? Just as we know continued reps build muscle, the same rule applies with relaxation practices and creating muscle memory to access calm and safety in our mind and body.

One of my specialties in the work that I do is working with clients who live with high functioning anxiety. People often use the term “high functioning” to normalize an issue, but dismissing or minimizing your struggles doesn’t make them go away. Instead, it can be more detrimental to your health and wellbeing because it means you’re postponing the healing process.

This year has been… a lot. It has been hectic. It has been stressful. It has been sad. It has been filled with blow after blow. But, what if we stopped looking at our current situation as a punishment or inconvenience, and started viewing it as an opportunity to reflect, prioritize, and grow? What if we weren’t “doing it wrong” yet, yet evaluating what the blocks are for us compassionately taking responsibility to shift our mindset, ways we handle difficult emotions, and taking more loving and productive actions?