Good discussion. Fear/anxiety demands more of itself: Sounds like my alcohol intake when it demanded more and more and more.
I have been sober a long while, but anxiety, depression, and binge-eating are newer problems. I'm only now understanding the connections. There have been times that I have breathed through my anxiety, but more times I succumbed to sugar.
Several years ago I attended a retreat in the mountains. Yoga was offered each morning, and I loved it. On the drive home, which took me down a mountain with 18-wheelers and other hazards, I was calm and collected. Typically that drive had me on the verge of panic. I know the benefits of mindfulness, but I am not consistent. When I have practiced, even for just one week, it comes naturally.