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I got an email last week from a reader that stopped me in my tracks. They wrote: "I feel like nobody actually understands what this is like."

I want to try.

What's Really Going On

A 2023 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Psychology looked at this exact question. Here's what they found.

The research here is actually more encouraging than you might expect. A landmark study at UC Berkeley found that people who practiced these techniques for just 10 minutes daily showed measurable changes in their stress biomarkers within three weeks.

The Practical Part

I want to be careful here because this gets oversimplified a lot.

When I was in training, my supervisor said something that I still think about: "People don't come to therapy because they're broken. They come because they're stuck." There's a crucial difference.

What I've Seen Work

A 2023 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Psychology looked at this exact question. Here's what they found.

Neuroscience has come a long way on this topic. We now know that the brain's neuroplasticity — its ability to rewire itself — means that these patterns aren't permanent. With consistent practice, you can literally change the neural pathways that maintain this cycle.

Progress isn't going to look like a straight line. There will be setbacks. Days where you feel like you're back at square one. You're not — you're just having a hard day. Those are different things.

Remember: seeking help isn't a sign of weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do.