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Feeling guilty about things that have happened in the past or thinking that something horrible is just around the corner is central to most anxious and depressing thoughts. To keep yourself in the here and now use these techniques:

  1. Sit quietly and take note of your surroundings. Notice the light, sounds, and everything around you.

  2. Avoid the temptation to judge or evaluate, and just observe.

  3. Notice your breath going in and out of your body.

  4. Notice how your body feels as you sit.

  5. Sit, breathe, observe, and be in the present. If your thoughts start to dwell on worries or concerns, just pull yourself back to the present.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.  (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist and a Founding Fellow in the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is also a member of the faculty at Fielding Graduate University. He specializes in the treatment of adolescents and adults with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, anger, depression, and personality disorders. He presents nationally and internationally on new developments in the assessment and therapy of emotional disorders.

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. She is often asked to provide consultations to attorneys, school districts, and governmental agencies. She presents workshops on cognitive therapy and mental health issues to national and international audiences.

Aaron T. Beck, MD, is an American psychiatrist who is professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He is regarded as the father of both cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.