

How I Learned to Work with My Anxiety
May 27, 2025
Dive into a candid exploration of anxiety management! Discover the difference between stress and anxiety from personal tales that resonate. Learn the power of intentional breathing and simple techniques like the 4-7 breathing exercise for calming your mind. Intrusive thoughts are unpacked, revealing their connection to care instead of character flaws. Embrace healing as a journey, and find comfort in seeking help while navigating these complexities. Valuable resources and practices await to support your mental health!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Leah's Journey with Anxiety
- Leah Smart shared her lifelong struggle with anxiety starting from childhood fears to intense physical symptoms as a teenager.
- A terrifying moment with intrusive thoughts on a balcony pushed her to seek new ways to understand and manage anxiety.
Separating Self from Anxiety
- Anxiety is a fear response, not the core of who you are, allowing a way to separate self from anxious thoughts.
- Recognizing oneself as distinct from one’s thoughts was a powerful epiphany for Leah.
Brain as Software Metaphor
- Our brains are like software with bugs; thoughts are outputs of a neural network with trillions of connections.
- We should question the validity of all thoughts given their software-like nature that can be upgraded or changed.