Mental Shift When You’re Anxious

Anxiety can feel very overwhelming. Sometimes the best question you can ask yourself is “What is the bravest thing I can do in this moment?” This helps shift your mind out of panic and into curiosity.
You have the power to work your way through anxious moments–even if its just one moment at a time.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life’s direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/c…

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services.
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29 Comments

  1. I usually push myself too hard and I don't think it's the right question for me. I think asking myself 'what do I need right now?' works better for me. It brings me back to the present… And I may need water, a hug, a nap, some food… I try to bring it back to basics. Thank you for sharing what works for you!

  2. My anxiety is exploding all over the place. OMG people just don't understand all the treats against me to for years and years and years! I can't laugh it off anymore. People want me dead or in prison. I can't handle all the BS anymore. My anxiety is exhausting me, the harrassment against me, the hate toward me over so much misunderstandings, my roots and lies and ripping me off for over 20 years. I'm consumed with anxiety… any help you can give me is much appreciated!

  3. Something i learned recently that was really helpful to those watching
    look up the DARE anxiety method
    It’s based off CBT therapy and extremely effective. You can shut down a panic/anxiety almost instantly implementing the steps.

  4. Currently, I’m focusing on the idea that ‘if nothing changes, nothing changes’, so I’m consciously trying to bring a change when I catch myself overthinking or being too anxious or being too doubtful of anything. I just asked myself what can I change right now? even if it is a change in the sitting position, a change in the room, a change in the activity that I am doing, doesn’t matter even if it is a change of one small step, what I am consciously doing is that I am sending a message to my body and to the world around me and the universe at large that I am open to change. This is not the situation I want to be in: this changes my physical position, the environment and most importantly, the state of mind.

  5. If im on my own anxiety kills me becaise my mind over thinks. if im around people and they are causing my anxiety i never run i get aggressive / confrontational and hit the situation head on

  6. Such an important topic, thank you for sharing this. ❤‍🔥This resonates so deeply with a practice I used to have. When I felt anxiety creeping in, instead of fighting it, I would intentionally give myself permission to feel it.

    I'd find a safe space to be alone, and I would let myself cry, scream it out, or even voice all the worst-case scenarios out loud until they lost their power. Then, I would intentionally ground myself by going outside, watching the birds, or just touching the leaves on a tree. It was a process of intense release followed by gentle reconnection🔆.

    Looking back, I can't even recall the last time I felt that kind of anxiety. That practice was truly transformative. I feel so much more flexible now, with a constant sense of inner support. It's amazing what happens when we allow ourselves to feel, rather than resist. 😌🔋

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