In this episode of Empathetic Presence, I explore something that's helped my anxiety - how to find the present moment and return to it when we inevitably get lost in thought again.

It's particularly challenging to be present right now. With the constant news cycle and daily overwhelm many of us experience, it's natural to slip into hyper-vigilance. Focusing on presence rather than perfection has been transformative for my confidence and reducing anxiety.

I share my personal journey from being trapped in an endless cycle of anxiety to finding liberation through presence. For years, I experienced debilitating panic attacks that would send me to the emergency room convinced I was having heart attacks. Over a decade ago, I made a commitment to address my anxiety holistically, which became the foundation for the work I do today.

In this episode, I discuss:

• How I define presence as "getting out of my head and into my body"
• The scientific connection between the vagus nerve and our "gut brain"
• Practical techniques I use daily to return to the present moment
• A guided practice for anchoring to sound that we can experience together
• The importance of self-compassion when practicing presence

I would love to hear what helps you find presence and what presence means in your life. Please share your thoughts at Lee@presentvoices.com.

If you'd like to practice presence with me directly, I host a complimentary live workshop via Zoom where we work on these techniques together. You can register at presentvoices.com/collective.

Wishing you presence, not perfection. 

00:00 Introduction to Empathetic Presence

00:53 The Struggle with Anxiety and the Journey to Presence

03:04 Understanding and Practicing Presence

04:04 The Role of the Vagus Nerve and Gut Brain

06:02 Practical Tools for Finding the Present Moment

08:17 The Importance of Being Over Doing

08:41 Guided Practice: Anchoring to Sound

10:01 Managing Expectations and Using Tools to Stay Present

13:38 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect