In today's episode, Gina discusses the value of smiling for mental health and stress and anxiety reduction. An article is referenced which cites a number of peer reviewed studies that lend support to the physiological benefits of smiling. Listen in to learn more about why smiling is good for your overall wellness and how to take advantage today!
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Link to article mentioned in the episode
https://nicenews.com/science/smiling-boosts-happiness-study-says/
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What is anxiety?
Quote:
A simple smile. That's the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.
-Dalai Lama
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883: Smile It Can Boost Your Happiness

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 again discusses Claire Weekes' third step in her core anxiety clearing protocol: floating. A number of floating exercises are shared and a number of key Claire Weekes' principles and techniques are also covered, including acceptance allowing and non-resistance. Listen in and improve your clearing journey through a better understanding of Claire Weekes' important "floating" step.
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:
Your aim is to float through your anxiety rather than fight it, or try to think your way out of it.
-Claire Weekes
Chapters
0:23 Welcome to the Anxiety Coaches Podcast
7:06 The Organic Process of Letting Go
10:39 Principles and Techniques for Floating Through Anxiety
13:14 Observing Anxiety with Curiosity
15:20 Kindness and Self-Compassion in the Journey
15:37 Desensitization and Gradual Exposure to Anxiety
Summary
In today's episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, the focus is on floating through anxiety using the Claire Weeks method. The host emphasizes the importance of letting go and relaxing in order to navigate through anxious states. Drawing parallels between floating in water and dealing with anxiety, she guides listeners on how to release tension, both physically and mentally. The key is to practice relaxing and not overthinking, allowing the natural ability to float – whether in water or through anxiety – to unfold. She encourages listeners to cultivate a sense of acceptance, allow anxious thoughts to pass, and observe sensations with detached curiosity. Patience, self-compassion, and desensitization are key components in overcoming anxiety gradually. By educating oneself about anxiety, practicing mindfulness techniques, and letting time pass, individuals can learn to float through anxiety rather than fight against it. The episode wraps up with a quote from Claire Weeks and a reminder to face, accept, float, and let time pass in the journey to managing anxiety.
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1021: Floating Part 2: How to Float Through Anxiety The Claire Weekes Way

In today's episode, Gina discusses the third step in Claire Weekes' core anxiety treatment regime: floating. The key to this step is to not fight the feelings and sensations of anxiety-panic but (following acceptance) to float with them as you proceed through your day. Mastery over this step provides substantial benefit to anxiety sufferers in their anxiety clearing journey. Listen in to learn more details about what floating is had how to do it 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:
Treat fear gently, kindly, patiently, but firmly. Try to float gently over the feeling, never fighting it, never trying to crowd it out of your mind.
-Claire Weekes

Chapters
0:23 Introduction
5:58 Understanding Floating Through Anxiety
10:46 Benefits of Practicing Floating
14:38 Desensitization through Floating
16:43 Avoiding Adding Fuel to the Fire
18:01 Closing Thoughts
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, Gina Ryan delves into Claire Weeks' philosophy of floating through anxiety, emphasizing the importance of being aware but unafraid. Weeks believed that anxiety and panic attacks stemmed from a fear of the symptoms and sensations themselves, rather than any external threat, which she termed as "second fear." By practicing floating through anxiety, individuals are encouraged to accept and embrace anxious sensations without resistance, allowing them to gradually desensitize themselves to the experience of anxiety.

Ryan explains that floating involves moving through anxious sensations without tense resistance, akin to floating on undulating water. By adopting a stance of non-resistance and observing anxious feelings without judgment, individuals can signal to their mind and body that there is nothing to fear, laying the foundation for peace and calm as a new default response. Floating teaches individuals to separate themselves from anxious thoughts, preventing them from adding more stress to the situation and ultimately contributing to desensitization.

The benefits of practicing floating extend beyond navigating individual anxious experiences with less struggle, as each instance sends a message to the mind and body that it is safe to relax in such situations. By letting go of the need to control or analyze anxious feelings, individuals can cultivate a sense of safety and security within themselves. Ryan stresses the importance of gradually and repetitively practicing floating to rewire the mind and body's response to anxiety, ultimately teaching individuals that they are okay and do not need to engage in fight or flight responses to imagined threats.
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1020: Floating Part 1: Claire Weekes Philosophy Of Floating Through Anxiety

In today's episode, Gina discusses the often underestimated gift of laughter. Available freely to everyone, laughter is capable of releasing a cascade of highly beneficial hormones in our bodies that can help realign our minds to positive thinking. Listen in to learn the benefits of laughter and how to incorporate more laughter into you life 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:
Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of your heart.
- Mort Walker
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Humor and Healing Anxiety
3:27 Norman Cousins and the Healing Power of Laughter
7:35 Science Behind Laughter's Impact on Well-being
10:15 Reclaiming Laughter as a Tool for Healing
13:12 Practicing Laughter for Self-care
14:20 Embracing Absurdity and Finding Humor in Life
Summary
In today's episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, I delve into the healing power of humor in dealing with anxiety. Throughout the episode, I share meaningful quotes about laughter and how it can positively impact our mental and physical well-being. Drawing inspiration from Norman Cousins' book "Anatomy of an Illness" which emphasized the significance of humor in healing, I explore how laughter can boost the body's capacity for healing and improve overall health.

Reflecting on the fast-paced, stressful nature of modern life, I discuss the importance of incorporating laughter into our daily routines to combat stress and anxiety effectively. By triggering a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters, laughter can promote relaxation, improve cardiovascular health, and boost the immune system. I emphasize the profound impact of laughter on our outlook on life and stress levels, encouraging listeners to prioritize incorporating laughter into their lives intentionally.

Exploring techniques to embrace laughter, I suggest starting with intentional laughter exercises to shift perspectives and build up to genuine laughter. Seeking out sources of laughter such as funny videos, comedy movies, or stand-up shows can further enhance the healing benefits of laughter. Encouraging individuals to find humor in the mundane and connect with others through laughter, I highlight the transformative power of laughter in fostering resilience and connection.

I urge listeners to laugh freely and frequently, recognizing laughter as a valuable tool for self-care and healing. By infusing our days with laughter, we can nourish our minds and bodies while cultivating a sense of joy and resilience to navigate life's challenges. I invite listeners to share their funny stories and favorite sources of comedy, emphasizing the importance of incorporating laughter as a form of daily exercise for overall well-being. Join me in embracing laughter as a powerful tool for sweeping away the cobwebs of the heart and enhancing overall health and happiness.
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1019: How Humor Heals Anxiety from the Inside Out

In today's episode, Gina discusses a listener question about anxiety and stomach issues. Stress can have a major impact on our bodies and the functioning of the stomach in particular. Listen in to better understand why your stomach related symptoms occur and how to heal from these distressing effects of anxiety.
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 nervous system controls and coordinates all organs and structures of the human body.
-Gray's Anatomy
Chapters
0:23 Introduction
7:52 The Gut-Brain Connection
11:23 Short-Term Recovery
13:08 Long-Term Healing Considerations
17:20 Continuous Self-Care and Stress Management
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the fascinating topic of the gut-brain connection and how stress impacts our stomach. Stress triggers the body's fight or flight response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can affect digestion by reducing blood flow, increasing stomach acid production, altering gut motility, and disrupting the gut microbiome. The body diverts blood flow away from the stomach during stress to prioritize essential functions for survival.

The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in connecting the central nervous system with the gut's enteric nervous system, influencing gut function through pathways like the vagus nerve and neurotransmitter release. Emotion-induced responses such as anxiety and stress can affect gut function, highlighting the intricate connection between mental health and digestion. The enteric nervous system acts as a second brain within the digestive system, controlling gastrointestinal functions and interacting with the central nervous system for overall health and wellbeing.

When it comes to healing after psychological stress, factors like stress duration, intensity, individual resilience, and coping mechanisms play a significant role. Short-term recovery can occur rapidly once the stressor is managed, while long-term healing from chronic stress may require engaging in stress-reducing activities, seeking therapy or counseling, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and practicing self-care consistently. Healing timelines vary from person to person, emphasizing the importance of individual variability and continuous self-care even after immediate stress effects have subsided.

By making healthy lifestyle changes, practicing stress management techniques, and prioritizing self-care, individuals can navigate through chronic stress and promote long-lasting well-being. It's essential to be proactive in maintaining a supportive environment for the mind and body to relax and heal. Remember, healing takes time, so be patient with yourself and embrace the journey towards a calmer, healthier state of being. Join me in exploring more topics in upcoming episodes, and feel free to share your questions or thoughts with me via email. Until next time, take care and aloha.
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1018: The Gut-Brain Connection: How Stress Impacts Your Stomach

In today's episode, Gina discusses finding renewal through the changing of the seasons, especially with the arrival of Spring. A number of affirmations are shared to help you find hope and renewal whatever season it may be where you are. The affirmations play along with a gentle music track and may function as a guided meditation. Listen in and breathe deeply with these hopeful guided affirmations and experience a lasting peace of mind.
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:
To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdant green hills is the most perfect refreshment.
-Jane Austen
Chapters
0:23 Introduction to Finding Renewal and Healing through Seasons
7:40 Reflecting on Strength and Growth through Changing Seasons
10:30 Embracing Nature's Refreshing Influence for Renewal
12:14 Finding Tranquility and Renewal in Evening Reflections
12:55 Drawing Inspiration from Outdoor Beauty for Renewal
14:28 Deepening Connections and Self-Reflection through Questions
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, we delve into the theme of finding renewal and healing through the changing seasons. As spring brings about a sense of hope and fresh starts, it serves as a perfect trigger for focusing on our own renewal and healing. The host encourages listeners to consider the significance of the changing seasons and how they can inspire us to pay attention to our own growth and well-being.

Reflecting on the beauty and transformative power of nature, the host shares affirmations aimed at instilling hope and promoting inner renewal. The discussion emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our personal evolution and resilience, even in the face of challenges like anxiety and stress. By drawing parallels between the seasons and our own inner healing processes, listeners are encouraged to embrace change, find inner strength, and trust in their ability to navigate difficult circumstances.

The episode also encourages engaging with nature as a form of therapy and introspection, highlighting the restorative power of spending time outdoors and connecting with the natural world. Journal prompts are provided to help listeners deepen their reflection on personal growth, relationships, and self-care practices. By inviting listeners to explore their thoughts and emotions through writing, the host promotes a holistic approach to self-discovery and mindfulness.

Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to embrace the season of renewal, whether it be spring or any other time of transition, as an opportunity to reconnect with themselves, find solace in nature, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. The host closes with a quote from Jane Austen, underscoring the restorative and rejuvenating effects of immersing oneself in the beauty of the world around us.
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883: Smile It Can Boost Your Happiness

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