If you’re looking for a way to treat your anxiety without medication, a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that mindfulness-based interventions such as breath awareness exercises, body scans, and mindful movement, like stretching, may be as effective as taking medication.
The randomized clinical trial was conducted between June 2018 and February 2020 and included 276 adults with anxiety disorders from three hospitals in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Participants received either the antidepressant escitalopram, also known as Lexapro, or eight weeks of a weekly mindfulness-based stress reduction course, which included in-person classes, a daylong retreat, and daily home practice exercises.
