In today's episode, Gina describes the difference between stress and distress.  Cultivating an understanding of stress and distress can help us increase our distress tolerance over time.  Listen in for key tips to help increase your ability to live without having to make everything in your environment comfortable.    Episode supported by Ned If you want to check out Ned and try their CBD for yourself, we have a special offer for the Anxiety Coaches Podcast audience. Go to www.helloned.com/ACP or enter ACP at checkout for 15% off your first one-time order or 20% off your first subscription order plus FREE shipping. Thank you Ned! Join the NEW ACP SUPERCAST PREMIUM AD-FREE MEMBERSHIP https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/adfree  Listen to the entire back catalog ad-free and more! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.tech To learn more go to: http://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program  Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Quote: All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. –Ralph Waldo Emerson   

718: Anxiety Stress and Distress

The Anxiety Coaches Podcast brings you a relaxing and inspiring show sharing lifestyle changes to calm your nervous system and help you heal Anxiety, Panic, Stress, and PTSD for life!
We Bring you two episodes every week. There is no need to walk this path alone. Subscribe for a relaxing, informative, and inspiring time and start your journey into more peace and calm today.
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Health & Fitness

Mental Health

In today's episode, Gina responds to a listener question about health anxiety and the variety of bodily sensations experienced from day to day. Normal bodily sensations can vary over time for a wide range of reasons, most of which fall into the category of normal variation. High anxiety itself can not only make us more sensitive to our normal body sensations, but it can also cause disruptions and variations in our bodily functioning. Listen in to learn how to navigate the ocean of bodily sensations that can present themselves and how to stay calm and peaceful throughout it all.
Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!
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Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. 
FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind
10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety 
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To learn more, go to:
Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com
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Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching 
What is anxiety? 
Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:
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Here's what's included for $5/month:
❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday
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❤ And more fun surprises along the way!
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Quote:
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.
-Mark Twain
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Health Anxiety
6:06 Understanding Heart Palpitations
12:12 Managing Anxious Thoughts About Health
15:47 Exploring Causes of Headaches
18:40 Overcoming Fear of Checking Blood Pressure
21:08 Concluding Thoughts and Quote
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, Gina Ryan discusses health anxiety, fear, and finding calm within oneself. She addresses a listener's question about overcoming anxiety related to heart palpitations, headaches, and fear of checking blood pressure. Gina shares her own experiences with anxiety and how the mind can quickly jump to catastrophic conclusions, leading to more stress and panic. She highlights the importance of understanding factors that can affect heart rhythms, such as medications, alcohol, diet, fitness level, smoking, emotions, dehydration, and drugs.

Gina also dives into the various reasons behind headaches, including tension, migraines, sinus congestion, allergies, eye strain, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, medications, hormonal changes, weather changes, and emotional stress. She emphasizes the need to be mindful of one's health and to communicate concerns with healthcare professionals. Additionally, Gina discusses the anxiety surrounding checking blood pressure and how the mind can influence stress levels and readings. She encourages listeners to take a pause, breathe, and practice gratitude to calm the mind and body.

Throughout the episode, Gina stresses the power of the mind in shaping one's experiences and reactions to physical sensations. She advocates for training the mind to respond differently to fear and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of patience, practice, and perseverance in promoting peace and calm. Gina closes with a quote from Mark Twain about courage being the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear, and encourages listeners to continue their journey towards emotional well-being.
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1026: Health Anxiety Navigating Fear and Finding Calm Listener Q and A

In today's episode, Gina shares a guided meditation to help you find comfort even amidst anxiety and pain. This the immense gift that mindfulness and meditation can offer persons suffering with anxiety or situational turmoil: an oasis of peace and calm amidst all the suffering and difficulties. Listen in for a calming, peaceful guided meditation that can help you discover a special space of peace within your own consciousness.
Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!
https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ 
Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. 
FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind
10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety 
Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching link
ACPGroupCoaching.com
To learn more, go to:
Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com
Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program
Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching 
What is anxiety? 
Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:
For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/
Here's what's included for $5/month:
❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday
❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes
❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind
❤ And more fun surprises along the way!
All this in your favorite podcast app!
Chapters
0:23 Embracing Comfort Amidst Pain
4:04 Creating a Safe Place
7:16 Being Present with Sensations
9:19 Visualizing a Peaceful Place
10:51 Noticing Details in Imagination
13:22 Engaging Senses in Imaginary Environment
16:14 Accepting Pain and Changing Thoughts
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the theme of finding comfort amidst pain and anxiety. The host, Gina Ryan, guides listeners through a healing meditation aimed at creating a safe space within themselves to alleviate chronic pain and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of changing negative mental images associated with suffering and replacing them with peaceful visualizations to foster acceptance and relaxation.

Listeners are encouraged to find a comfortable position and focus on their breath to initiate relaxation. As the meditation progresses, Gina prompts them to acknowledge and explore sensations of pain or discomfort without resistance. By visualizing a cherished serene place, individuals are guided to immerse themselves in the details of this peaceful setting, engaging all senses to enhance the experience of relaxation and tranquility.

Through this guided meditation, listeners are invited to embrace the sensations and surroundings of their chosen safe place, fostering a stronger mind-body connection and promoting a sense of inner peace. By practicing this technique, individuals can effectively manage distressing moments by refocusing on calming imagery, thereby reducing the escalation of pain and fear while promoting overall well-being.

As the meditation concludes, Gina encourages listeners to gradually return to their surroundings, carrying the newfound sense of peace and connection with them. By incorporating this practice into their routine, individuals can cultivate a powerful tool for navigating moments of distress and promoting a harmonious relationship with their body and mind. Join us for future episodes as we continue to explore strategies for finding peace and calm amid life's challenges.
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1025: Embracing Comfort Amidst Pain And Anxiety: A Healing Meditation

In today's episode, Gina discusses using mind-body practices to reduce stress and anxiety and find more peace and calm. Drawing on a number of examples from a book by Suzie Amendola, mind-body practices such as yoga, breathing exercises and dietary changes are highlighted as effective tools for reducing stress and improving wellness. A centering practice is provided in the episode and such practices are recommended to be incorporated into daily life. Listen in and find more peace and calm today!
Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!
https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ 
Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. 
FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind
10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety 
Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching link
ACPGroupCoaching.com
To learn more, go to:
Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com
Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program
Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching 
What is anxiety? 
Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:
For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/
Here's what's included for $5/month:
❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday
❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes
❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind
❤ And more fun surprises along the way!
All this in your favorite podcast app!
Quote:
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
-Victor Frankl
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Mind-Body Practices
2:31 The Centered Heart and Cardiac Health
4:00 Personal Struggles with Anxiety
7:25 Seeking Healing for Anxiety
9:50 Managing Stress for Health
12:15 Connecting to Inner Calm
13:52 Chapter Three: Relaxation
15:24 Centering Moment Practice
17:24 Long-Term Stress Management Solutions
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, Gina Ryan delves into the topic of anxiety and mind-body practices to find peace and calm. She shares insights from Susie Amendola's book, "The Centered Heart," which focuses on evidence-based mind-body practices to reduce stress and enhance cardiac health. Drawing from Susie's personal experiences with anxiety and depression, Gina highlights the impact of external factors like drug use on mental health and the importance of seeking alternative healing methods.

Through Susie's journey of overcoming anxiety and depression, Gina emphasizes the need for self-compassion and exploring holistic approaches to wellness. She underscores the significance of stress management practices in regaining control and inner calm, advocating for a combination of therapies that address the body and mind. By prioritizing relaxation and self-care, individuals can navigate the continuum of ease and dis-ease, steering towards improved health outcomes and emotional well-being.

Gina encourages listeners to embrace practices such as yoga, breathing exercises, and dietary changes to foster relaxation and alleviate tension in the body. She echoes Susie's sentiments on the transformative power of deep relaxation and the impact of mindful breathing on reducing stress levels. By incorporating centering moments into daily routines, individuals can cultivate a sense of peace and inner harmony, akin to hitting the reset button for the mind and body.

Reflecting on Viktor Frankl's quote about adapting to challenges by changing ourselves, Gina underscores the importance of finding solace in practices that promote self-transformation amidst adversity. As the episode draws to a close, she leaves listeners with a parting quote and reminder to prioritize self-care, resilience, and embracing change for personal growth. Through sharing insights from "The Centered Heart," Gina empowers her audience to explore holistic approaches to managing anxiety and fostering well-being.
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1024: Anxiety and Mind-Body Practices To Let Go

In today's episode, Gina answers a listener question about the impact of prescriptions drugs on anxiety. Specifically, this listener has been struggling with some waves in the ocean of anxiety relating to changes in these drugs prescribed by her physician (in this case benzodiazepines and SSRIs). Listen in to hear Gina's commentary and suggestions on how to navigate the difficulties that can arise anxiety medications.
Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!
https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ 
Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. 
FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind
10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety 
Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching link
ACPGroupCoaching.com
To learn more, go to:
Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com
Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program
Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching 
What is anxiety? 
Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:
For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/
Here's what's included for $5/month:
❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday
❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes
❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind
❤ And more fun surprises along the way!
All this in your favorite podcast app!
Quote:
The only way out is through.
-Robert Frost
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Finding Serenity Amidst the Storm
5:19 Seeking Guidance on Medication and Therapy
12:14 Importance of Communicating with Healthcare Providers
15:48 Empowering Self-Healing Workshop
16:44 You Are Not Alone
17:52 Closing Thoughts and Quote
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, a listener shares a detailed account of their struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and medication use. The host, Gina Ryan, delves into the complexities of benzodiazepine medications, highlighting the potential withdrawal symptoms and effects on mental health. She stresses the importance of communicating with a prescribing physician about any issues related to medication, especially when considering tapering off or discontinuation.

Gina provides insights into the listener's situation, emphasizing the need for a short-term use of benzodiazepines and collaborative care between therapists and physicians. She suggests journaling as a tool for self-reflection and decision-making, encouraging listeners to pay attention to their intuition and internal cues when navigating mental health challenges.

Throughout the episode, Gina offers empathy and support to the listener, acknowledging the difficulties they face while providing guidance on finding healing and peace amidst the storm. She closes the episode with a message of hope, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their struggles and that patience and self-care are crucial aspects of the healing journey. The episode ends with a quote from Robert Frost, "The only way out is through," leaving listeners with a sense of determination and resilience as they navigate their mental health challenges.
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1023: Finding Serenity Amidst the Storm Listener Q and A

In today's episode, Gina discusses a frequently mentioned problem among listeners of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast: relaxation induced anxiety. Key points for understanding relaxation induced anxiety are outlined as are steps for helping manage your relaxation induced anxiety. Don't let your moments of relaxation turn into anxiety-panic, listen in today!
Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!
https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ 
Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. 
FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind
10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety 
Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching link
ACPGroupCoaching.com
To learn more, go to:
Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com
Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program
Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching 
What is anxiety? 
Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:
For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/
Here's what's included for $5/month:
❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday
❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes
❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind
❤ And more fun surprises along the way!
All this in your favorite podcast app!
Quote:
It's not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.
-Hans Selye
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Relaxation-Induced Anxiety
4:08 Recognizing Obstacles to Relaxation
6:49 Managing Relaxation-Induced Anxiety
9:39 Embracing Mindfulness in Relaxation
11:05 Using Body to Relax the Mind
11:54 Being Honest with Yourself
12:59 Choosing Meaningful Rewards
14:12 Finding Peace through Helping Others
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the common question of why some individuals experience anxiety when they try to relax. The host, Gina Ryan, explores the phenomenon of relaxation-induced anxiety, a state where individuals feel uptight or nervous once they attempt to unwind. Research indicates that approximately 15% of the population is prone to experiencing anxiety as they begin to relax, leading to a significant number of individuals struggling with this issue.

The discussion focuses on identifying the obstacles to relaxation-induced anxiety, such as monitoring one's thoughts and body sensations that may interfere with moments of quiet. Suggestions are offered on recognizing physical signs of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, stiff muscles, and clenched jaw, as indicators of the body's response to underlying thoughts or emotions.

To manage relaxation-induced anxiety, the importance of accepting one's feelings with compassion and acknowledging life's challenges is emphasized. Listeners are encouraged to gradually incorporate relaxation techniques into their routine without imposing high expectations that could lead to additional stress. Strategies like increasing mindfulness, being specific in guiding the mind and body towards relaxation, and giving oneself meaningful rewards are recommended to ease into a relaxed state without triggering anxiety.

The episode underscores the significance of honesty with oneself, facing important tasks, and choosing meaningful rewards to reinforce positive habits. Serving others is highlighted as a powerful tool to diminish minor worries and distractions, offering a pathway to peace and relaxation. Ultimately, the host stresses the importance of developing personalized strategies to address individual anxiety triggers gradually and become comfortable with the process of unwinding. The episode concludes with a poignant quote emphasizing the impact of our reactions to stress on our well-being.
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718: Anxiety Stress and Distress

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