A new book by psychiatrist Judson Brewer, Unwinding Anxiety, proposes that anxiety exists in our daily habits, and is not something that simply goes away by breathing exercises.

Our brain is addicted to the habits due to the rewards attached to them, and we need to dismantle and d...

We are struggling with anxiety as our habits don’t let us part with it, with the pleasure and pain coming in a package. The habit loop of any habit cycle is:

1. Trigger: A feeling of anxiety.
2. Behaviour: Doing something (like eating a chocolate ...

• Label each experience and witness it from a distance, creating space between you and the sensation.
• Practice kindness and love towards yourself and others.
• Review and update the brain’s reward system in a positive way, inserting good behaviour and positive habit loops.

Creating healthy habits requires mindfulness, so that new habit loops can be inserted when a trigger surfaces in your mind.

• Be curious and mindful at all times if possible, tuning into your breath whenever anxiety arises.
• Practice RAIN: Recognize and relax i...