The Veranda Within: Creating Space For Anxiety

Recently I met a woman in her 80’s who said she has been “struggling with anxiety for decades”. She sought assistance for her symptoms including receiving medical input from a professional team. When she worried about things, she found it difficult to breathe and sometimes finding that she was breathing too quickly. Then she would suppress everything trying to avoid these feelings of worry and anxiety.

This client told me about her rich and full life including her relationships with her spouse, children and grandchild. She travelled widely and enjoyed culture and diversity. As she aged, she found it increasingly difficult to manage her fears and anxieties. They would pop up unexpectedly and she would become immobilized and unable to do activities that gave her meaning and purpose. This client’s children and friends were concerned about her.

Dealing with fears and anxiety is very common. In fact, if you are a breathing human, you will most likely be facing anxiety at some level.  Anxiety is very treatable! Sometimes people require medication to help regulate their thoughts. Seeing a therapist can also provide you with tools to learn how to give anxiety some space so you can continue to live a meaningful life.

At a session in this client’s home, I introduced her to a grounding exercise to try when she felt fearful or anxious. Client had a lovely picture hanging on her wall of a large veranda with wicker furniture including a rocker and a swing. I invited the client to imagine going to this veranda and picture what she would see, hear smell and feel while there. We stayed there for a few minutes and client felt a shift stating that the anxiety did not seem as strong. A few weeks later, client reflected that after practicing “going to her veranda”, she felt protected, safe, comfortable sensing a release where her fears did not feel so powerful and overwhelming. She was able to do this practice even when she wasn’t in front of the picture of the veranda. Client exuded energy and excitement when describing this change stating that her friends and family noticed the transformation in client’s well being.

When we have had anxiety for some time, our brain defaults to the same responses. Learning how to address anxiety is like learning a hobby or how to play a new instrument; it takes time to use these new skills. As a therapist, I provide clients with a range of tools and strategies to help them unhook from anxiety so that it doesn’t pull them around as much. If you are facing anxiety, feel free to reach out to book an online or in person session.

-Permission received from client to anonymously share her story