help
you	behave	in	a	manner,	and	ultimately	live	a	life,	that	matches	your	core
values	and	desires,	regardless	of	your	mood	or	anxious	symptoms.
As	you	grow	to	accept	that	we	all	suffer	sometimes,	you’ll	find	there’s
more	room	for	you	to	separate	from	your	battle	with	anxiety.	Through
practicing	the	mindfulness	strategies	throughout	each	chapter,	you’ll	be	more
easily	able	to	bring	your	thoughts	back	to	the	here	and	now.	As	you	learn
ways	to	observe	and	distance	yourself,	even	if	only	slightly,	from	your
anxious	experiences,	you	will	be	less	overwhelmed	and	more	able	to
experience	joy	and	pleasure	in	your	life	now.
Habits	and	Neuroplasticity
Struggling	with	anxiety	can	be	so	demoralizing	that	we	give	up.	Similar	to
traits	like	height	or	eye	color,	people	who	struggle	with	anxiety	can	start	to
believe	that	they	were	born	anxious	and	there’s	nothing	they	can	do	about	it.
However,	the	reality	is	that	changes	in	our	environment,	along	with	learning
new	skills,	have	a	significant	impact	on	anxiety	and	can	lessen	anxious
symptoms	over	time.
Neuroscience	shows	that	neuronal	growth	and	structural	changes	in	the
brain	occur	as	the	result	of	new	experiences,	and	also	as	the	result	of	how	you