Explore the impact of anxiety in a modern world and how our brains are wired to perceive threats. Discover the connection between physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Learn strategies to manage anxiety through mindfulness, physical activity, and being intentional in daily tasks.
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Quick takeaways
Anxiety is often a result of our evolutionary response to perceived threats, triggering physical sensations that strongly influence our thoughts and emotions.
Engaging in physical activities and practicing mindfulness can help manage anxiety by promoting a sense of order and balance in both the physical and mental realms.
Deep dives
Anxiety and the Mind-Body Connection
In this episode, the host discusses how anxiety can be a result of our evolutionary response to perceived threats. Our brains are wired to react to stressors as if they are immediate threats, causing physical sensations like increased heart rate and shallow breathing. The host shares their personal struggle with background anxiety and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the physical nature of anxiety. They explain that physical sensations strongly influence our thoughts and emotions, and trying to solely think our way out of anxiety may not be effective. Instead, the host suggests engaging in physical activities like taking a walk or doing chores to calm the nerves and promote a sense of order and balance.
The Role of Mindfulness and Meditation
The host highlights the misconception that meditation is solely a mental exercise. They explain that mindfulness and meditation practices involve developing awareness of both thoughts and physical sensations. One example is the walking meditation, where individuals are encouraged to be fully present in their bodies and minds while engaging in various activities. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can become more attuned to subtle physical sensations and take proactive steps to reduce anxious feelings. The episode emphasizes the importance of using all available tools, including physical activities and mindfulness, to promote well-being and manage anxiety.
Embracing and Addressing Anxiety
The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace their anxiety rather than resisting it. Instead of trying to rationalize or suppress anxious feelings, the host suggests allowing oneself to experience and acknowledge them. They propose finding physical activities that help calm the nerves, such as exercise, yard work, or even simple household chores, as they can bring a sense of order and balance to both the physical and mental realms. The host advises listeners to find their own strategies for finding equilibrium and well-being in the face of anxiety.
“Caretake this moment. Immerse yourself in its particulars. Respond to this person or that person, this challenge, this deed. Quit the evasions. Stop giving yourself needless trouble. It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to be in right now. You are not some disinterested bystander. Participate. Exert yourself.”— EpictetusOne of the hardest things that we have to deal with as humans is anxiety. As humans, we evolved to be constantly aware of threats around us. This is how our brains evolved to keep us alive. That rustling in the bushes could have been a snake or tiger. The adrenaline spike got us ready in flash should we need to fight for our lives or run for safety. Without these traits, humans would not have survived very long. The problem is that we are built to handle threats that don’t exist for most of us. Getting your brain to understand and appreciate that though is a whole other challenge to our modern world. Because our brains are constantly on the lookout for threats, we may feel uncomfortable or anxious for something that we “think” we shouldn’t cause that kind of response. We also can't just "think" our way out of anxiety. Because anxiety is a physical sensation, it needs to be handled in a physical way.