Transforming Anxiety with CARE: A Practice for Real Life

Ricky Cortez
May 23
2 min read

Updated: Dec 10

Most of us are carrying more stress than we even realize. Between work, family, community responsibilities, and the pace of everyday life, our bodies and minds often end up stuck in overdrive. Anxiety, reactivity, burnout — they show up in small ways (snapping at a loved one, holding our breath without noticing) and in bigger patterns that leave us feeling disconnected and overwhelmed.

That’s why I started C.A.R.E. — Connected And Rooted Everywhere. It’s not another wellness trend or meditation class where you’re told to sit still and “clear your mind.” CARE is about something much simpler and more human: helping people remember what it feels like to be safe in their own body and truly connected to others.

We use practical, science-informed tools — breath practices, sensory grounding, co-regulation exercises — to retrain our nervous systems. In plain terms, that means learning how to shift out of fight, flight, or freeze and back into a state where we can think clearly, feel steady, and connect with the people around us.

The work is inspired by neuroscience, including Polyvagal Theory, but the real focus is on what it feels like in everyday life. Imagine a parent navigating a chaotic morning without losing their cool. A teen finding a way to self-regulate instead of shutting down. A workplace team building trust and emotional safety so they can actually thrive together. This is what CARE looks like in practice.

And while CARE is about individual growth, it’s also about community. I believe when one person learns to regulate and connect, that steadiness ripples outward — into families, relationships, neighborhoods, and even businesses. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, practicing together, and choosing connection over disconnection, one breath at a time.

This work is deeply personal for me. I’ve lived it as a parent, a partner, and someone who’s navigated ADHD and the ups and downs of staying grounded. CARE is the container I created to share the tools, science, and practices that have made a difference in my own life. My hope is that it becomes a space where others can feel supported, safe, and reminded that they don’t have to go through it alone.

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💚 Ready to Root?

Whether you’re showing up solo, with your partner, your kids, or your work team—you are welcome here. My job is to hold space, guide practices, and offer a roadmap for reconnecting to the wisdom already inside you.

I invite you to come curious, come messy, come as you are.

Let’s connect. Let’s get rooted. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE 🌿

Find Your Calm with CARE. If you’re not able to participate directly, I’d be deeply grateful if you’d share CARE with friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.

🌿 CARE Mantra