In a nut-shell, ACT involves being:
- being open – unhooking and making room for thoughts, feelings memories, and body sensations
- being present –engagement with the hear and now as well as being able to step back and observe thoughts and feelings
- doing what matters – being clear about your values, setting goals and taking action
Have a read here for a nice overview of the ACT processes.
In the case of anxiety, this requires:
- noticing thoughts about what might go wrong, make space for feelings of anxiety and worry. Also noticing with curiosity body sensations such as muscle tenseness or nausea.
- noticing and observing non-judgmentally thoughts and feelings related to anxiety. And, still experiencing what is happening around us so that we can learn and respond usefully.
- taking action to live our preferred life, despite the presence of anxiety and worry. Acknowledging that our mind has noticed the uncertainty associated with something important to us, and is trying to be helpful by generating feelings of anxiety.
