Feeling anxious about anything? Maybe the coronavirus pandemic? We’re talking about anxiety and depression on this episode of the Run The Race podcast with nationally certified and licensed professional counselor Christy Hubbard.

Before that conversation, (2:00) I talk about anxiety vs. anxiety disorders, including a testimonial from a 25-year-old friend with mental health struggles.

(5:20) Christy Hubbard, who has a private practice in Columbus GA, specializes in helping couples, mothers, and children, also specializing in maternal mental-health. We start our chat with the growing fears worldwide over the deadly coronavirus and how to handle that anxiety.

We then focus on depression and anxiety overall, (8:48) the red flags and warning signs to look for, when being anxious can be good and when it can lead to panic attacks, along with solutions and treatment including different kinds of therapy.

Christy also has a message (11:50) for those intimidated by going to counseling, which she calls a safe place but also knows it’s a “brave decision” to go and be vulnerable. She talks about her own personal struggles with scary thoughts when she was a new stay-at-home mother.

(15:00) What role does faith and prayer play in dealing with anxiety? This counselor answers that and talks specific impacts of fitness on mental health, as she worked through her own issues with the help of Stroller Strong Moms.

Postpartum depression is such a big issue, (19:12) so we talk about that, as moms and dads can have anxiety especially after having kids, a time in your life that Christy says is "like a magnifying glass."

We close out our chat (22:20) by talking about counseling - when you need to go vs. talking to a pastor vs. talking to your spouse; what it's really like in counseling; finding the right counselor; and handling thoughts of suicide.

(28:55) My "Food for Thought" segment is what research says about how exercise impacts depression and anxiety, plus how religious leaders are dealing with fears over the coronavirus.

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