The end of summer and the arrival of fall marks a time of transition. Vacation time ends and school begins. No matter your age, for many of us, these kinds of transitions mean change, and change can give rise to anxiety. We all have anxiety. It’s part of being human. The question is whether we can transform that uncomfortable feeling of being anxious into a positive? To help us think through, and better manage, our anxiety, House Calls is re-sharing a conversation with Dr. Tracey Dennis-Tiwary. 

Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, author of “Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good For you (Even Though It Feels Bad),” and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Hunter College, says harnessing our anxiety can help us shape the future, instead of making it something, well…to be anxious about. In this episode of House Calls, the Surgeon General and Dr. Dennis-Tiwary talk about concrete ways many people can get through anxious times with a slower pulse, and calmer mind, and a clearer vision. Dr. Dennis-Tiwary calls it The Three Ls and she says anyone can learn to do it. 

(02:50)  What is anxiety and why does it exist? 

(04:57)  Stress, anxiety, or fear: What’s the difference? 

(06:13)  Anxiety or anxiety disorder? 

(07:58)  How does anxiety manifest? 

(11:19)  Is mental health the health crisis of our time? 

(14:13)  Managing anxiety with the Three L’s. 

(18:12)  Why should we befriend our anxiety? 

(19:13)  How can we help children with their anxiety? 

(31:27)  Can you become an emotional ninja? 

(33:13)  What drives our anxiety? 

(39:11)  Where do anxiety and social media intersect? 

(45:21)  Can we prioritize mental health? 

For more conversations, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls. 

We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at [email protected] with your feedback & ideas. 

Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Professor and Founder and CSO of Wise Therapeutics 

Twitter: @tracyadennis 

Instagram: @dr.tracyphd 

LinkedIn: @tracydennistiwary 

About Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary 

Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology and neuroscience, Director of the Emotion Regulation Lab, and Co-Executive Director of the Center for Health Technology at Hunter College, The City University of New York. As Founder and CSO of Wise Therapeutics, she translates neuroscience and cognitive therapy techniques into gamified, clinically validated digital therapeutics for mental health. She has published over 100 scientific articles and delivered over 400 presentations at academic conferences and for corporate clients. She has been featured throughout the media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ABC, CBS, CNN, NPR, The Today Show, and Bloomberg Television.