The Verywell Mind Podcast 151 - How to Harness the Power of Anxiety With Neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki
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Mar 14, 2022 
Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a renowned neuroscientist and professor at NYU, dives into the fascinating world of anxiety and its misunderstood nature. She explains how anxiety has an evolutionary role and emphasizes a mindset shift towards harnessing it. Listeners will learn about unhealthy coping strategies, the benefits of exercise, and techniques like box breathing to manage anxiety. Dr. Suzuki also shares personal wisdom from her own experiences with grief, guiding us to see anxiety not as a foe but as a potential superpower.
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Anxiety Is A Protective Signal
- Anxiety is an evolutionarily protective stress response that warns us about uncertainty and danger.
- Reframing anxiety as useful lets you harness its power instead of trying only to eliminate it.
Calm The Body With Box Breathing
- Use deep breathing to activate the parasympathetic "rest and digest" system and lower fight-or-flight arousal.
- Practice box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4 to calm yourself quickly anywhere.
Use Exercise As A Neurochemical Boost
- Move your body to release serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and other mood-boosting neurochemicals.
- Use aerobic activity or short bouts of movement before or during stress to lower anxiety levels.
