137: Managing Anxiety to Improve Your Relationship

Mindfulness

Mindfulness-based therapy offers a unique approach to managing anxiety by integrating modern research with Eastern philosophy. Denise Fournier, a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, emphasizes the importance of connecting with our five senses to alleviate anxiety and improve relationships. She explains, "If we're connecting to our five senses in the moment, we're giving our minds, our anxious minds, a break, and we're creating that bridge to the present moment that allows us to really settle in, relax, and alleviate that anxiety."

If we're connecting to our five senses in the moment, we're giving our minds, our anxious minds, a break, and we're creating that bridge to the present moment that allows us to really settle in, relax, and alleviate that anxiety.

--- Denise Fournier

By focusing on bodily awareness and taking time to respond rather than react, individuals can foster healthier interactions with their partners 1 2.

   

Therapist Insights

Denise Fournier shares valuable insights into anxiety management through her therapy practices and personal experiences. She highlights the contagious nature of both anxiety and relaxation, suggesting that taking responsibility for one's internal state can lead to better relationship outcomes. "If we are focused inwardly on managing our anxiety, the likelihood is that we're going to get better outcomes and better results in our interactions with our partners," she notes.

If we are focused inwardly on managing our anxiety, the likelihood is that we're going to get better outcomes and better results in our interactions with our partners.

--- Denise Fournier

Denise also provides online resources for personal growth, including her blog "Mindfully Present, Fully Alive," and encourages listeners to explore these tools to enhance their relationships 3 4.