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Practicingmindfulness meditationcan be an effective way to manage feelings of stress and anxiety, and can even be used as arelaxation technique for panic disorder.This meditation technique can help you slow down racing thoughts, decrease negativity, and calm both your mind and body.

Research across age groups, gender, and geographical borders has shown how powerful a practice it can be. A 2015 study, for example, demonstrated a significant drop in anxiety and stress among nursing students practicing mindfulness meditation techniques.

There were similar findings in a study of adolescents in the U.S. diagnosed with anxiety.The common thread among these and other studies is the way mindfulnessmeditationhelps people—particularly those with anxiety who often worry about the past or future—focus on the present moment.

5 Meditation Techniques to Get You Started

How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation

When you first begin meditating, you may be surprised at how challenging it can be to sit in silence. Believe it or not, part of the practice of mindfulness is becoming aware of how the act of sitting still may put your thoughts in turbo drive. The key is not to judge the mind but to instead simply observe it. To get started with the practice, ease in with sessions of only a few minutes. Once you develop a more regular, familiar practice, you can gradually increase your time.

Find a Comfortable Position

Bring Your Awareness to the Present

Once you’re sitting comfortably in a quiet area, start focusing your attention inward. Close your eyes and begin withbreathing.Simply notice your breathing pattern, but don’t try to change it; this will help bring your awareness to the present moment. If you notice your mind wandering, bring attention back to your breath. Once you have observed the natural rhythm of your breath, allow it to grow deeper to support relaxation.

Acknowledge Your Thoughts

Initially, practicing meditation can increase feelings of anxiety or self-judgment.Am I doing this right? What should I be doing?Rather than trying to suppress that inner dialogue, recognize it and wait for it to pass. This will help you learn how to sit with uncomfortable thoughts without responding. Over time, you may feel less anxious and experience more inner peace.

Finish Your Meditation

When your meditation feels complete or you’ve reached your desired time, open your eyes. Gradually come out of your meditation with some gentle stretches. Take some time to reflect on your practice.

It can be hard to keep track of time during meditation. If you’re worried that you will go over your designated time, consider using an alarm or timer that has a gentle sound. This will keep your attention away from the clock and back on your practice.

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Improve Your Meditation Practice

Once you’ve built a foundation, you may notice previous signs of anxiety—likeruminatingon past events or insomnia—greatly reduced.But like any new modality, it may take some practice. Experiment with your practice to find what works best for you.

Mindfulness meditation can be done at any time of day. You may find that meditating when you wake up helps youreduce morning anxiety. Or perhaps you find that meditating in the evening allows you toget a better night’s rest. Try different times of day to determine what suits you best.

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A Word From Verywell

Starting a meditation practice can be challenging, from finding the time and space in a busy schedule to facing fearful, judgmental thoughts that can cause anxiety. With consistency—even just a few minutes each day—you can find the practice that’s right for you and see a decrease inanxiety and panic symptoms.

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7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Ratanasiripong P, Park JF, Ratanasiripong N, Kathalae D.Stress and anxiety management in nursing students: Biofeedback and mindfulness meditation.J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(9):520-524. doi:10.3928/01484834-20150814-07Blum H, Rutt C, Nash C, Joyce V, Buonopane R.Mindfulness meditation and anxiety in adolescents on an inpatient psychiatric unit.J Health Care Chaplain. 2019:1-19. doi:10.1080/08854726.2019.1603918Carter KS, Carter R.Breath-based meditation: A mechanism to restore the physiological and cognitive reserves for optimal human performance.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(4):99-102. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i4.99Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555Edenfield TM, Saeed SA.An update on mindfulness meditation as a self-help treatment for anxiety and depression.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2012;5:131-141. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S34937Robins JL, Kiken L, Holt M, Mccain NL.Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2014;26(9):511-518. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12086Additional ReadingSarris J, Moylan S, Camfield DA, et al.Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: A review of current evidence.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:1-20. doi:10.1155/2012/809653.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Ratanasiripong P, Park JF, Ratanasiripong N, Kathalae D.Stress and anxiety management in nursing students: Biofeedback and mindfulness meditation.J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(9):520-524. doi:10.3928/01484834-20150814-07Blum H, Rutt C, Nash C, Joyce V, Buonopane R.Mindfulness meditation and anxiety in adolescents on an inpatient psychiatric unit.J Health Care Chaplain. 2019:1-19. doi:10.1080/08854726.2019.1603918Carter KS, Carter R.Breath-based meditation: A mechanism to restore the physiological and cognitive reserves for optimal human performance.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(4):99-102. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i4.99Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555Edenfield TM, Saeed SA.An update on mindfulness meditation as a self-help treatment for anxiety and depression.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2012;5:131-141. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S34937Robins JL, Kiken L, Holt M, Mccain NL.Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2014;26(9):511-518. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12086Additional ReadingSarris J, Moylan S, Camfield DA, et al.Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: A review of current evidence.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:1-20. doi:10.1155/2012/809653.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Ratanasiripong P, Park JF, Ratanasiripong N, Kathalae D.Stress and anxiety management in nursing students: Biofeedback and mindfulness meditation.J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(9):520-524. doi:10.3928/01484834-20150814-07Blum H, Rutt C, Nash C, Joyce V, Buonopane R.Mindfulness meditation and anxiety in adolescents on an inpatient psychiatric unit.J Health Care Chaplain. 2019:1-19. doi:10.1080/08854726.2019.1603918Carter KS, Carter R.Breath-based meditation: A mechanism to restore the physiological and cognitive reserves for optimal human performance.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(4):99-102. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i4.99Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555Edenfield TM, Saeed SA.An update on mindfulness meditation as a self-help treatment for anxiety and depression.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2012;5:131-141. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S34937Robins JL, Kiken L, Holt M, Mccain NL.Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2014;26(9):511-518. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12086

Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964

Ratanasiripong P, Park JF, Ratanasiripong N, Kathalae D.Stress and anxiety management in nursing students: Biofeedback and mindfulness meditation.J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(9):520-524. doi:10.3928/01484834-20150814-07

Blum H, Rutt C, Nash C, Joyce V, Buonopane R.Mindfulness meditation and anxiety in adolescents on an inpatient psychiatric unit.J Health Care Chaplain. 2019:1-19. doi:10.1080/08854726.2019.1603918

Carter KS, Carter R.Breath-based meditation: A mechanism to restore the physiological and cognitive reserves for optimal human performance.World J Clin Cases. 2016;4(4):99-102. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i4.99

Hofmann SG, Sawyer AT, Witt AA, Oh D.The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2010;78(2):169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

Edenfield TM, Saeed SA.An update on mindfulness meditation as a self-help treatment for anxiety and depression.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2012;5:131-141. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S34937

Robins JL, Kiken L, Holt M, Mccain NL.Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2014;26(9):511-518. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12086

Sarris J, Moylan S, Camfield DA, et al.Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: A review of current evidence.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:1-20. doi:10.1155/2012/809653.

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