Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry Why Distraction Isn't The Solution For Anxiety
Nov 21, 2025
Join Lynn and Ed as they bond over fainting stories, setting a humorous tone. They dive into the complexities of distraction, distinguishing between helpful and harmful strategies. Lynn discusses 'destructive distraction' and its risks, while offering 'unhooking' techniques like the alphabet game to combat rumination. They explore fun, engaging activities for kids to shift focus away from anxiety and emphasize the importance of modeling healthy responses as parents. A thought-provoking conversation that highlights moving from distraction to meaningful action!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Distraction's Value Depends On Use
- Distraction isn't all-or-nothing; its value depends on how you use it.
- Lynn Lyons warns that some distraction becomes destructive when it aims to eliminate feelings rather than shift attention.
Use Small Cognitive Games To Unhook
- Use simple cognitive tasks (like the alphabet game) to unhook from rumination.
- Lynn Lyons recommends these games to give the prefrontal cortex something else to chew on so worrying eases.
Acknowledge Worry Then Pivot
- Pivot deliberately: acknowledge the worry, then shift to an engaging activity.
- Use movement, music, or a task to move out of rumination without trying to erase the feeling.