Headspace_logo_svg
MeditationRelease Your Anxiety

Release Your Anxiety

Expressing anxiety is a healing act. Mel Chanté leads you through a meditation to help you better understand and give voice to anxious feelings.

Try 14 days free

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Try 14 days free
Better mental health starts with Headspace

What's up? It's Mel Shante. When we express our anxiety, we're better able to control it. To start, let's take a few deep breaths. Breathe in. Breathe out. Second time, breathe in. Breathe out. Last time, breathe in. And out. Expressing our anxiety and fears gives us more power over them. Whether you write it out, talk to a friend, or talk to yourself out loud, it helps curb our negative responses to what we fear. That then changes our behavior towards that fear. Say, if you had a fear of spiders, right? Instead of denying your phobia, expressing the negative thoughts you have towards spiders actually brings you a step closer to overcoming that fear. This could apply to any thought that triggers anxiety, like speaking in front of crowds or taking an exam. So, think of a time you felt anxious recently, reflect on the feeling and notice what your body does. Become aware of any reactions in your body, even if it's subtle. If there's tension anywhere, notice that too. Think about how you felt in that moment. There's nothing wrong with how you felt. Just bring it to the surface, simply express. What did you feel? What did you fear? What thoughts were going on in your mind? No judging, simply expressing. I'll give you a minute. Remember, by simply writing or verbalizing our anxieties, we are able to release them in physical form. It allows us to see our thoughts and fears more objectively and better manage our behaviors as a result, gaining power over it all in the process. We're also giving our minds a much needed cleanse. Before you go, repeat after me. I am open to freely express myself. I have power over my feelings. Last time, I am open to freely express myself. I have power over my feelings. You got this....

Details

TypeMeditation
Duration4 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Stress, sleep, and all the challenging emotions — care for your mind with the everyday mental health app that's shown to make a difference.

Try 14 days free
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

Related to 'Release Your'

Taming Self-Anxiety, with Kara Loewentheil

Podcast5 min

Stop anxious thoughts from spiraling out of control, featuring special guest host Kara Loewentheil.

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice