To live life is to experience anxiety — whether we’re agonizing over that big promotion or worrying that we accidentally said something awkward at a dinner party. In those moments, your mind can be your worst enemy, descending into a series of “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios that only make a situation more stressful. It’s in those moments that practicing awareness and taking a deep breath can course correct your brain and put an end to that needless doom spiral.
These 10 quotes offer encouragement for quieting the anxious mind. So take a deep breath and soak in the calming wisdom of famous writers, philosophers, and leaders.
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.Thích Nhất Hạnh
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answers.William S. Burroughs
Everything we do is infused with the energy with which we do it. If we’re frantic, life will be frantic. If we’re peaceful, life will be peaceful.Marianne Williamson
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.Maya Angelou
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.Confucius
Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.Oprah Winfrey
You cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind.Henry David Thoreau
The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat.Jules Renard
The nearer a man comes to a calm mind the closer he is to strength.Marcus Aurelius
Keep Calm and Carry OnGovernment of the United Kingdom
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About the Author
Darren Orf
Darren lives in Portland, Oregon, has two cats, and writes about science, technology, nature, and history.
