Using The Zen Mindfulness Symbol To Ease Anxiety

Updated October 18, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

Are you among the millions of Americans experiencing fear, anxiety, and panic disorders? Living in a constant state of fear can be overwhelming and exhausting. People who experience anxiety-related disorders may find themselves searching for the best cure to relieve their anxiety. As a result, some people choose non-traditional options for anxiety relief, like using Buddhist mindfulness symbols. Mindfulness serves as a reminder that every negative situation has an opposite and will resolve itself one way or another in time.

In the Buddhist tradition, mindfulness and keeping a calm state of mind are the keys to happiness and successful life. This article talks about the effects of anxiety and how practicing mindfulness by using mindfulness symbols can help ease your symptoms.

Where does anxiety come from?

iStock
Do you want to learn more about mindfulness?

People with anxiety often feel like they are living in a constant state of fear or panic. This state remains constant even if there is peace in their outside surroundings. According to psychology experts from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, at least 40 million Americans struggle to manage ongoing bouts of anxiety in the United States this year. So, where does anxiety come from?

There are several known causes and triggers for anxiety. A likely trigger for excessive anxiety is having an excess amount of stress in your life. For example, if you have stress in dealing with intimate or family relationships and you aren’t sure what will happen next, it’s possible to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and upset until the issues are resolved.

Some people are more prone to anxiety as a personality trait. If you’ve ever heard of a person with a “Type A” personality, then you probably have a good idea of what that means. It may surprise you to learn that anxiety is often a side-effect of other mental health issues. People with anxiety commonly experience chronic mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, which can worsen anxiety symptoms.

Practicing mindfulness and using mindfulness symbols can help eliminate the negative symptoms of anxiety. Looking at the symbol for mindfulness reminds us to go with the flow of life — even during the worst of circumstances. There isn’t anything religious about mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness is simply a self-directed action taken to ease the negative symptoms of everyday life.

Traditional anxiety treatments

Before we look at practicing mindfulness using the tattoo symbol of a drop of water, let’s look at some traditional anxiety treatments commonly practiced in the United States today. When you seek treatment for anxiety, you can expect a medical doctor to perform a series of medical tests and psychological assessments to rule out other disorders and potential underlying medical issues. The results of psychological testing will indicate to your medical provider if your anxiety-related symptoms are directly related to anxiety or panic disorder.

A common treatment option is a psychotherapy or professional counseling. In some cases, a combination of treatment options may be explored by you and the help of a medical professional.

Psychotherapy is a common denominator in the treatment of many chronic mental health concerns. The reason for this is that many chronic mental health symptoms issues respond well to psychotherapy strategies like behavior modification techniques and cognitive-behavioral therapy. For chronic mental health symptoms that persist, psychotherapy provides many individuals who experience chronic mental health conditions with a medium for relief and professional advice that makes a living with mental illness and related disorders easier to handle.

Licensed therapists specialize in providing expert advice, including behavioral modification suggestions and conflict-resolution strategies that make it easier to handle the stressors we encounter in our daily lives.

Non-traditional anxiety treatments

Today’s medical doctors, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists lean more toward non-traditional healing modalities and holistic therapy. Holistic therapy treatments are person-focused therapy techniques designed and tailored for each individual. Each person brings their own unique set of issues and needs to the psychotherapy table. As a result, a “one-size-fits-all” solution isn’t the best way to go.

Holistic therapy methods include yoga, meditation, and mindfulness that help take our thoughts away from our worries and fears. Practicing yoga, meditation, and mindfulness gets us out of mind and into the body. This means that instead of ruminating on a complicated issue, a holistic therapy practitioner may recommend that you spend time doing yoga instead.

The effects of getting out of the mind and into the body are to stop the constant flow of information from swirling around in your mind and leaving you with a sense of peace as you move into the physical body. The Buddhist mindfulness symbol reminds us that everything in nature has its balance. There isn’t anything inherently religious about mindfulness symbols or mindfulness jewelry. When you see the mindfulness symbols, you’re reminded that better times are ahead when you’re going through a hard time.

Understanding the existence of this natural balance discovered in mindfulness practices is where the concept of equanimity begins.

Understanding equanimity

Getty/AnnaStills

As indicated by the name, the word equanimity has to do with the concept of balance and all things being equal. The concept of equanimity is based on the understanding that natural balance applies to our lives, circumstances, and emotions. If you’ve ever experienced a traumatic or stressful event (that you were sure you couldn’t get through) that you ended up making it through anyway, then you understand that in life, things will usually balance themselves out with time.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

The Buddhist equanimity symbol serves as a reminder that everything in nature has its opposite balance. When you’re feeling out of balance, looking at the symbol and practicing mindfulness meditation can help you re-center and refocus on staying in the here and now as things work themselves out in your life. The practice of mindfulness is widely accepted outside of the realm of Buddhism. The benefits of mindfulness are endless; people who practice mindfulness and those who wear the mindfulness symbols reminder tattoo report fewer issues with stress and anxiety.

The Buddhist equanimity tattoo acts as a reminder of a consciousness symbol that makes us think about being at peace, harmony, mindfulness and supports psychological stability.

The most important function of practicing mindfulness is the persistent reminder to keep an even mind and stay on an even keel (regardless of what’s going on around you). The more you practice mindfulness, you’ll learn to understand that even the most unpleasant circumstances will pass with time.

Anxiety is increased by holding on to thoughts of the past or being stuck in constant rumination about the future. Mindfulness symbols remind us to stay present in the here and now.

The simple act of staying focused on the here and now has a calming effect as your mind is no longer running away with you. The result of a calmer state of mind is also a calmer overall body; your muscles can relax, jaws unclench, and worry is less persistent as you begin to realize and accept that you have more control over your thoughts and emotions than you originally believed.

This newly found confidence and sense of peace can directly reduce the effect that anxiety has on your mind and body and teach you how to remain unaffected by negative circumstances around you. The mindfulness symbols are used in spirituality practices for Buddhism and many other religions that practice this peaceful way of looking at life.

Wearing a symbol and practicing mindfulness has become more popular in the social mainstream of many cultures. This growing practice is that more people are learning how to understand the value of letting go and going with the natural flow of life. Some people print the symbols to use in feng shui home decor.

If you’re not sure how to begin to practice mindfulness, a quick Google search for the terms “introduction to mindfulness” is a great place to start.

How therapy can help ease anxiety symptoms

In addition to practicing healthy living and mindfulness techniques, having the support of a licensed therapy professional can work wonders for helping you relieve your anxiety symptoms. Licensed therapists can provide you with the professional advice and support that you need to help get (and keep) your life on track.

Therapy professionals have a reputation for helping people sort out complex problems and issues that keep them from achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves in life.

Many people struggle daily with effectively managing home, family, and career issues that can cause them to feel unsure and overwhelmed. The role of a therapist is to help you find the best solutions that work for your individual needs. The licensed therapists at leading online therapy platforms like Regain provide professional counseling and therapy services for individuals, couples, and families.

As our lives become more complicated, having the advice of a licensed professional is one of the best things you can do. Getting therapy online with Regain is as easy as registering for a free therapy account and completing a customized online questionnaire. Based on your questionnaire results, you’ll be matched with the best licensed therapy provider to meet your individual therapy needs.

Your online therapy provider is licensed to practice therapy in your state of residence. 

Getty/10'000 Hours
Do you want to learn more about mindfulness?

Takeaway

Therapy sessions with a licensed Regain therapy professional will provide you with a new understanding of how to remain calm, mindful, and present in your life. Your therapist will teach you more coping strategies that can help you manage (and in some cases even eliminate) the negative and uncomfortable symptoms of chronic anxiety. Are you ready to learn how to take back control of your life and find relief from anxiety by learning to become more mindful?

Licensed therapists at Regain are available to help you online 24-hours a day. Therapy services are provided via your tablet, smartphone, or laptop. The Regain therapy app is also available as a free download on Google Play and App Stores. If you’re serious about changing your life by becoming more mindful, contact a licensed therapist on the Regain platform today.

For Additional Help & Support With Your ConcernsThis website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet Started
This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.