Anchored in the Now: How Mindfulness Manages Anxiety and Depression
Apr 21, 2026By Kristine Garner, LMFT — Arizona Family Institute
Anchored in the Now: How Mindfulness Manages Anxiety and Depression (see my video that introduces this topic)
Mindfulness for me in my therapeutic practice is a real foundational piece. The definition that I really like is about mindfulness as being present in the moment. This anchor in the present is crucial for navigating two of the most common emotional struggles we face: anxiety and depression.
Reining in Anxiety by Focusing on the Present
If you’re feeling anxious, it’s often because we’re worried about the future. We're worried about things that we can't control. We're worried about the next step. And so, if we can stay present, then we worry less.
If I have a test next week and all I do is think about, "Oh my gosh, I'm going to not pass my test," or "I'm so worried about this test," then my anxiety increases and my ability to perform well on the test decreases. But if I think about, "Okay, what can I do right now in order to prepare for that test?" then my anxiety is more manageable.
Releasing Depression by Accepting the Past
Depression is often worrying about the past or trying to change something that we can't change. Logically, we know that we can't change the past, but we often live there thinking, "Well, if I would have done this," or "If I hadn't said that." We spend a lot of time in trying to redo something that we can't change. And so, then we feel sad, we feel depressed, we feel all of those feelings.
We can learn from the past and we can prepare for the future, but we really only can do it in the present. And so, that's the key for mindfulness: not judging either one, but just experiencing the moment.
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