In treating anxiety, which method does mindfulness-based therapy promote?

Mindfulness-based therapy is designed to cultivate present-moment awareness and acceptance. This approach encourages individuals to focus on their current thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. By promoting this awareness, mindfulness helps individuals recognize and accept their anxiety rather than trying to avoid it or react to it with negative behaviors. This acceptance can foster a sense of calm and reduce the intensity of anxious feelings.

In contrast, emotional avoidance involves trying to escape from uncomfortable emotions, which can exacerbate anxiety in the long run. Substance use often serves as a maladaptive coping strategy to numb feelings of anxiety but does not address the underlying issues. Rumination refers to the repetitive and negative focus on past events, which can lead to increased anxiety and distress. Thus, the emphasis on present-moment awareness and acceptance is what sets mindfulness-based therapy apart as a constructive method for treating anxiety.