Rewiring Your Brain to Combat Anxiety with Havening Techniques

Rewiring Your Brain to Combat Anxiety with Havening Techniques

Apr 08, 2024


Hello folks! If you've ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of anxiety, you know how tough it can be to calm the storm inside your mind. Today, we're diving into a game-changing approach that might just be your new best mate in managing anxiety: the Havening Techniques. Let’s get right into how these powerful methods can help train your brain to keep calm and carry on!

What is Anxiety?

Before we jump into solutions, let’s understand the beast we’re dealing with. Anxiety isn’t just feeling stressed or worried; it’s when these feelings are supercharged and interfere with your daily life. It can make you feel like you're constantly under attack by an invisible boxer, ducking and diving even when there’s no real punch coming.

Enter the Havening Techniques

Developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden, the Havening Techniques are a form of psychosensory therapy, which means they use sensory touch to influence the mind and body. Imagine giving your brain a gentle, soothing massage; that's kind of what Havening does but through specific touch techniques to your arms, face, and hands.

How Havening Techniques Work

Havening Techniques work by altering the brain's chemistry and electrical activity to reduce stress and anxiety. When you experience severe stress or trauma, your brain goes into overdrive, and it can keep you in this high-alert state permanently. Havening’s approach helps to "de-link" the emotional memory from these distressing feelings.

Training Your Brain with Havening: Step-by-Step

1. Create a Calm Environment: First off, find a quiet spot where you can chill without distractions. Maybe light a candle or play some soft background tunes—whatever floats your boat!
2. Apply the Havening Touch: Gently rub your palms together, stroke your arms from shoulders to elbows, and caress your face. This touch generates a delta wave in the brain, which is like hitting the chill button on your nervous system.
3. Visualisation and Affirmations: While you’re basking in that good touch, visualize a peaceful scene (like a quiet beach at sunset). Layer in some positive affirmations like "I am calm and relaxed" or "I am safe." Repeat these until you feel your anxiety levels dropping.
4. Practice Regularly: Like any form of exercise, the benefits of Havening are best seen with regular practice. Make it part of your daily routine, perhaps in the morning to start your day on a positive note, or in the evening to wind down.

Why Havening Could Be Your Anxiety Buster

By regularly practicing the Havening Techniques, you're essentially training your brain to switch lanes from the high-speed freeway of anxiety to a more serene path. Over time, your brain learns to trigger relaxation instead of panic in response to stressors.

Wrap Up

There you have it! While anxiety might seem like a tough opponent, integrating practices like the Havening Techniques can equip you with the tools to face it head-on. Give these methods a try and see if they help you float like a butterfly and sting like a bee against the punches of daily stress.
Remember, it’s all about taking that first step towards a calmer mind. Keep swinging, and don't forget to laugh along the way! If you have any questions or need a bit more guidance, feel free to drop a comment below. Let’s tackle anxiety together and come out swinging! Cheers to a healthier, happier mind. 🥊🧠


Mind Right, Body Tight, Harmony in Motion.