727: How we fuel our anxiety without realizing it
This week on the Anxiety Slayer podcast we’re exploring all of the ways we can unknowingly fuel our anxiety. The things we do that build anxiety beneath our level of awareness. It rumbles, and we push on, until it builds to the point where we can’t ignore it anymore and, by then, we usually feel awful.
TODAY’S ANXIETY SLAYER PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY BETTERHELP.
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Notes from this week’s episode
Key points we talked about:
Shallow breathing
Taking on too much responsibility for others
Forgetting to eat
Working long hours
Doom scrolling
Not getting outside and looking up
““I’d like to suggest one profound shift you can make: not a resolution, requiring vast amounts of will power, but rather, a gentle shift, in where and how you pay attention. A quiet life is really about attention, and how you direct it. It’s about intellectual and emotional energy, and where you expend it.” ”
This week as we delved into the sneaky ways you might unknowingly fuel your anxiety, and how anxiety can simmer beneath the surface until it becomes something you can't ignore. During our chat, we uncovered some of the behaviors and habits that can amplify your anxiety without you even realizing it.
We talked about the importance of checking in with yourself and ensuring you’re not slipping out of balance. Shann shared how shallow breathing is a big indicator that anxiety is creeping in for her. We recommend simple reminders for you to practice breathing exercises like the long exhale or alternate nostril breathing to help reset your system.
We also touched on how taking on too much responsibility for others can spread you too thin, leading to an increase in anxiety. It’s all about balance, making sure you're not giving too much of yourself away.
Remember, it's the small steps you take each day that help you slay anxiety. Whether it's setting a timer for a brief meditation, getting outside for a breath of fresh air, or diving into a good book, know that you're not alone on this journey. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Recommended reads:
“Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books” by Cathy Rentzenbrink
“Reading is such an important part of how I manage my mental health but it goes with also retreating from the world. I get in the bath with a book and just step off the mad treadmill of modern life for a bit.”
“Enchantment: reawakening wonder in an exhausted age” by Katherine May
And listens:
The On Being podcast with Krista Tippett
Wisdom to replenish and orient this tender, tumultuous time to be alive.
She interviews poets, writers and positive thinkers.
Join us on our Patreon for over 200 guided relaxations, Tapping Sessions and classes to help you slay your anxiety.