If you're feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle of worry and fear, constantly seeking reassurance but never finding lasting relief, then you are not alone! Despite your efforts to find peace, anxiety continues to hold you captive, robbing you of joy and freedom. It's frustrating and exhausting, but there is hope for understanding and managing this relentless adversary.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand the purpose of anxiety and how it has helped humans survive challenging situations.
• Learn how to effectively manage anxiety in today's modern world, where invisible threats are ever-present.
• Discover why avoidance strategies, such as substance use or overworking, are counterproductive and learn better alternatives.
• Explore common avoidance techniques, including excessive exercise, and their impact on anxiety management.
• Gain insight into strategies for managing anxiety, such as leaning into it, practicing curiosity, and using deep breathing techniques.

The best way to make your anxiety worse is avoidance. The more you avoid your anxiety, the worse it's going to get. - Eric Osterlind

Understand the purpose of anxiety

Anxiety serves a crucial purpose as a survival instinct in humans. It acts as a signal for potential threats, prompting us to act accordingly. Understanding this function of anxiety and its fundamental role in our evolutionary history is vital to managing it effectively.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit EricOsterlind.com for more on anxiety treatments.
• Visit the website of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to learn more about anxiety disorders and their symptoms.
• Consider seeking professional help from a mental health provider if you suspect you have anxiety or need support in managing it.

Episode Credits: Music by Magiksolo and Lesfm from Pixabay