Signs You're Stuck In Survival Mode & How To End Your Anxiety For Good | Dr. Russell Kennedy

Sep 8, 2025

Dr. Russell Kennedy, known as “The Anxiety MD,” is an expert in helping people overcome anxiety disorders and has a unique background that includes comedy and meditation. He shares insights on recognizing when you're stuck in survival mode and the importance of feeling safe in your body for healing. The discussion covers techniques for managing anxiety, including reconnecting with your inner child, embracing neuroplasticity, and using mindfulness practices. Kennedy emphasizes the need for holistic approaches to truly combat anxiety and thrive in life.

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INSIGHT

Sleep As The Canary

Waking repeatedly at night is often the first sign your nervous system is unregulated.
Fragmented sleep reflects deeper subconscious conflict and reduced resilience.

INSIGHT

Conflict Undermines Regulation

Internal conflict drives disruption to homeostatic functions like sleep and gut health.
Losing bodily regulation reduces prefrontal cortex function and makes us less like ourselves.

ADVICE

Use Guided Hypno-Meditation

Use guided hypno-meditations or soothing music to access relaxed delta/theta states and calm the limbic system.
Create short islands of felt safety to build nervous-system resilience over time.

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Dr. Russell Kennedy, aka “The Anxiety MD.” Dr. Kennedy specializes in the art and neuroscience of helping people recover from anxiety disorders. He knows anxiety from the inside out, as he developed his own anxiety disorder due to growing up with a dad with severe schizophrenia. Dr. Kennedy has degrees and advanced training in medicine, neuroscience and developmental psychology —but it’s not all science, as he is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher and was a professional stand-up comedian for over a decade (no joke!) In his award-winning book and audiobook, ANXIETY RX, he shows a practical, actionable program for anxiety relief that incorporates a combination of the latest in neuroscience with the grounding wisdom of the body with the ultimate goal of relieving the anxious thoughts of the mind.

Today on the show we discuss: the first warning sign that your body is stuck in survival mode, why healing your nervous system begins with “feeling safe” in your body, how to reduce your anxiety both in the short term and long term, why unhealed trauma prevents you from thriving in life, simple ways for escaping anxious thoughts, habits that silently make anxiety worse over time, how to conquer uncertainty for good and much more.

⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠

Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed.

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help:

Emergency Medical Services—911

If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov

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