Why is it so hard to ask for help, even when we need it the most?

After being diagnosed with tonsil cancer, eating became very painful for Debra because of the radiation treatment. So, she turned to alcohol to help her get the calories she needed, which seemed like the easiest solution at the time. She couldn’t work because she was sick, and her bills kept piling up, leaving her in debt. As someone who always tried to handle things on her own, Debra ignored her health until she became so ill and weak that she could hardly move. In the end, she had no choice but to ask for help. In this episode, Coach Onowa helps Debra understand why it’s okay to feel the way she does about asking for help and how powerful it can be to reach out. Debra learns that even though asking for help might feel uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean she is failing or doing something wrong.

In this episode, Coach Onowa and Debra will discuss:

- Her path to building a healthy relationship with alcohol

- Why asking for help was hard for her

- What happens when we don’t ask for help

- Understanding and changing old beliefs

- Emotions that hold us back from seeking support

- ‘Changing the channel’ on your thoughts

- Seeing life through a 'both-and' lens

- Debra’s tool for managing anxiety

- Creating the space to ask for support

- The power of reaching out for help

- How to stop fighting the voices in your head

- Three feelings Debra wants to lead her life with

- Learning through struggles

- Staying true to yourself when seeking help

- Moving forward with peace

- And other topics…

Onowa Bjella is a certified TNM Senior Coach with over 20 years of experience in teaching and coaching. She believes that self-compassion is key to creating a balanced relationship with alcohol. As a mom, Onowa is dedicated to healthy eating and living, and she helps other health-conscious moms take control of their relationship with alcohol and become their best selves.

Learn more about Coach Onowa: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/onowa-bjella/ 

Related Episodes:

EP 378: Reader Question – Can I just take a break from alcohol? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-378-reader-question-can-i-just-take-a-break-from-alcohol/ 

EP 398: Reader Question – Where do I start when I struggle with food and alcohol?

https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-398-reader-question-where-do-i-start-when-i-struggle-with-food-and-alcohol/ 

EP 550: Reader Question – Is there hope for long-time drinkers who keep relapsing?

https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-550-reader-question-is-there-hope-for-long-time-drinkers-who-keep-relapsing/ 

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!