The Anxiety Coaches Podcast

In today's episode, Gina continues her discussion of the benefits of aromatherapy and fragrance for individuals recovering from anxiety. More specifically, today the scientific research findings on scent and aromatherapy are explored. Safety considerations to remember when practicing self-care with essential oils are also included in this episode. Listen in and come to better understand the proven benefits of essential oils and how to use them for greatest effect!Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Our senses connect us intimately to the past, connect us in ways that most of our cherished ideas never could.-Diane AckermanChapters0:27 Welcome to the Anxiety Coaches Podcast2:20 What the Research Says About Aromatherapy4:27 Lavender and Anxiety5:57 How Scent, Memory, and Context Interact9:59 Pleasant Scents and the Body11:38 Using Aromatherapy Without Pressure14:01 Creating a Grounding Scent Ritual15:12 Essential Oil Safety16:26 What We Know—and What We Don’t17:36 Let Your Senses Support YouSummaryIn this episode, we examine whether aromatherapy can help with anxiety and what current research can—and cannot—tell us. Reviews of studies on inhaled essential oils report reductions in self-reported anxiety, including studies of lavender, but the research varies in quality and methods. The evidence does not establish essential oils as a treatment for anxiety disorders.We discuss why people may respond differently to the same scent. Personal memories, preferences, expectations and surroundings can shape the experience, and scents are difficult to study without participants knowing what they are smelling. A scent enjoyed during a quiet, repeated practice may also become associated with settling down.We consider emerging research linking personally pleasant odors with changes in breathing, heart rate and heart rate variability. This does not mean that one particular oil calms everyone. Aromatherapy may be a complementary part of a supportive routine, alongside practices such as taking comfortable breaths, sitting quietly, journaling or meditating—not a replacement for other care.We suggest approaching scent with curiosity rather than expecting it to remove anxiety. A scent could be an essential oil, tea, flower, citrus or another familiar smell; we can notice whether it feels pleasant, brings up a memory, irritates us or has no effect. There is no need to find a “perfect” oil or to feel that something is wrong if a scent does not help.We also cover safety. Essential oils are concentrated and can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions or other effects; some can increase sensitivity to sunlight when applied to the skin. We advise against ingesting them without appropriate medical guidance and recommend consulting a healthcare professional before therapeutic use when pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing health concerns.#Anxiety #Aromatherapy #EssentialOils #Lavender #MentalHealth #StressRelief #Relaxation #Scent #OlfactorySystem #MindBody #Breathing #HeartRateVariability #NervousSystem #SelfCare #Mindfulness #Calm #Grounding #HolisticHealth #WellBeing #ComplementaryTherapy #Psychology #BrainBody #Presence #Rituals #SensoryExperience #PersonalWellBeing #InternalPeace #Neuroscience #WellnessPractices #EmotionalHealth #Memory #AnxietyRelief #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #DianeAckerman #BeWell #Aloha #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina shares more knowledge about the importance of scent and aroma in our lives and our anxiety recovery. In particular, the connection between scent, memory, emotion (and anxiety) is discussed. The Proust phenomenon in particular is discussed: how scents can trigger intense autobiographical memories from our past and bring back past experiences to the present (and how this can aid us on our anxiety recovery and emotional stabilization journey). An exercise using scent is recommended for listeners.Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us...-Marcel ProustChapters0:27 Scent and Memory2:31 The Madeleine Effect6:31 When Scents Hurt8:47 Scent and Attachment12:06 Calming Anxious Triggers13:24 A Scent ExperimentSummaryIn this episode we continue our exploration of scent and its connection to memory, emotion, and anxiety. We talk about how a smell can suddenly bring back a vivid moment from the past, sometimes with a strong sense of being there again.We discuss the Proust phenomenon and the way odor can trigger autobiographical memories, often from early childhood. We also explain that these memories are not simply recalled on command, but can arrive spontaneously through a sensory cue.We look at how smell is linked to brain systems involved in emotion and memory, including the amygdala and hippocampus. We also note that scent can bring back difficult memories, grief, or sadness, not only pleasant nostalgia.We then connect this to anxiety, noting that a current feeling may be tied to something in the present that reminds us of the past. We encourage curiosity about what a scent may be associated with, while also grounding ourselves in the present moment.We also discuss smell and attachment, including familiar scents connected to loved ones, babies, pets, and personal spaces. We end by inviting listeners to notice a meaningful scent during the week, observe what it brings up, and remember that a memory is something we are experiencing now, not something we are reliving exactly as it was.#AnxietyCoachesPodcast #ScentAndMemory #ProustPhenomenon #OlfactorySystem #EmotionalWellbeing #Mindfulness #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealth #AutobiographicalMemory #NostalgiaAndGrief #EmotionalRegulation #BrainAndScent #SensoryGrounding #ChildhoodMemories #MindfulAwareness #AnxietySupport #EmotionalHealing #SelfCare #SmellAndEmotion #LimbicSystem #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #CalmTheMind #PresentMoment #SensoryTriggers #PsychologyOfScent #InnerChildHealing #AnxietyManagement #MindBodyConnection #GinaRyan #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina discusses the three circles of anxiety: the circle of concern, the circle of influence and the circle of control. These three principles, when understood correctly, can really help one to cool unnecessary anxiety and optimize one's thoughts and behavior. Focus your energy on what you can change, let go of the rest. Listen in for helpful insights on these powerful organizational principles for your mind and start living better today!Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.-Marcus AureliusChapters0:27 Boundaries and Control2:35 The Three Circles5:48 Anxiety’s Control Trap7:39 Sorting a Critical Comment12:27 Caring Without Carrying15:32 Practicing Letting Go19:26 Returning to What’s YoursSummaryIn this episode we continue our discussion of boundaries and focus on the idea that boundaries are about more than saying no. We look at how anxious thinking often takes responsibility for too many things, including other people’s reactions, opinions, and future outcomes.We revisit the three circles framework: circle of concern, circle of influence, and circle of control. We explain that concern includes many things we care about, but caring about something does not mean we can control it. Influence includes the ways our words, actions, and choices may affect a situation, while control is limited to what is actually in our hands, such as our responses, attention, and whether we pause before acting.We also look at how anxiety tries to enlarge our sense of control through worry, overthinking, and replaying conversations. We use the example of receiving a critical comment and sort the situation into the three circles, showing that the other person’s opinion is concern, while our response and boundaries are within our control.Finally, we emphasize that the goal is not to stop caring, but to care without carrying everything. We practice asking what belongs to concern, influence, or control, and return to what is ours to do in the present moment. The episode closes with encouragement to treat this as an ongoing practice and to let go of what is not ours to manage.#AnxietyRelief #MentalHealth #Boundaries #Mindfulness #StressManagement #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #EmotionalWellness #AnxietySupport #CopingSkills #InnerPeace #HealingJourney #AnxietyAwareness #EmotionalHealth #MentalWellness #SelfLove #HealthyBoundaries #PeoplePleasing #Overthinking #WorryFree #MindfulLiving #AnxietyReliefTips #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #CalmMind #StressRelief #MentalClarity #EmotionalFreedom #LifeCoaching #HolisticHealth #PeaceOfMind #AnxietyManagement #NervousSystemRegulation #SelfMastery #IntentionalLiving #ACP#GinaRyan #AnxietyCoachesPodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina discusses social boundaries and how a variety of social cues can trigger anxiety, especially when we are not cognizant of our boundaries or how to manage them for maximum wellness. Understanding and maintaining our boundaries enables us to keep our sense of self intact and communicate this sense of self to others. Simple phrases to use while interacting with others to help you maintain healthy boundaries are provided.Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.-Brené BrownChapters0:27 Boundary Crossings and Self-Trust2:18 Beyond Boundary Phrases4:55 Stop Mind-Reading Others7:41 Facts Versus Interpretations10:20 Simple Boundary Phrases12:37 Feeling Uncomfortable Is Normal14:25 Allowed to Disappoint Others16:28 Practice Small Boundaries18:09 Caring Without Abandoning Yourself19:25 Return to YourselfSummaryIn this episode we talk about boundaries and how they relate to anxiety. We focus on what happens when someone makes a comment about our clothing, food, time, or life choices, and how a brief uncomfortable moment can turn into hours or days of worry.We explain that a boundary is not a wall or a punishment. It is a way of saying what we are and are not comfortable with. We also look at the difference between responding because something matters to us and explaining ourselves because we cannot tolerate disapproval.A main theme is self-trust. We discuss how anxiety often comes from trying to figure out what other people think and from reacting to our own discomfort after a boundary is crossed. We separate facts from interpretations and note that other people’s opinions are not something we have to fix or manage.We also offer simple phrases for the moment, such as saying we are comfortable, that we would rather not discuss something, or that something works for us. We encourage saying it once, allowing silence, and noticing the urge to over-explain.Finally, we describe the practice of allowing discomfort, disappointment, and misunderstanding without abandoning ourselves. The goal is not to stop caring what others think, but to care without giving up our own comfort or self-respect.#anxiety #boundaries #selftrust #personalgrowth #mentalhealth #emotionalwellness #selfcare #communication #relationshipadvice #peoplepleasing #overcominganxiety #mindfulness #emotionalfreedom #settinglimits #mentalpeace #personalboundaries #vulnerability #selfcompassion #brenebrown #innerpeace #emotionalregulation #anxietyrelief #emotionalboundaries #selfacceptance #emotionalintelligence #mentalresilience #personaldevelopment #assertiveness #healthyliving #selfrespect #emotionalhealing #nervoussystemregulation #copingstrategies #mindfulnesspractice #psychologicalsafety #emotionalmaturity #buildingtrust #courage #innerstrength #selfawareness #validation #emotionalindependence #stressmanagement #mindsetshift #healingjourney #mentalwellness #peaceofmind #selflove #emotionalstrength #lifeskills #ACP #anxietycoachespodcast #GinaRyanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina discusses the anxiety of waiting, such as occurs in long lines at the market or on busy city streets or the highway where traffic is congested. Gina offers listeners three specific methods to bring mindfulness to bear on these moments when the waiting seems to last forever and help soothe the angst and discomfort that can arise.Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. –Dalai LamaChapters0:27 Waiting Without Panic3:44 Mindfulness Helps Waiting7:23 Breath Through Uncertainty8:50 Practice Little Waits11:54 Love While WaitingSummaryIn this episode, we talk about three tips for handling anxiety that comes up while waiting. We begin by noting that common situations like standing in line, being delayed at the airport, or waiting in traffic can feel very uncomfortable, even though the discomfort itself is not dangerous.The first tip is to be with the breath through uncertainty. We are encouraged to slow down, notice the inhale and exhale, and extend the exhale if possible. This is presented as a way to reduce stress and send the body a message that there is no immediate danger.The second tip is to wait on purpose in small, ordinary moments. We can use brief waits, such as waiting for a computer to load, a meeting to begin, or the kettle to boil, as practice for remaining present without reaching for distraction. These small exercises are described as helping us build patience and prepare for bigger waits.The third tip is to extend love and kindness. We can do this by smiling, laughing, connecting with others, and also being kind to ourselves when waiting makes us frustrated or late. The episode ends by emphasizing that these practices can help protect our inner peace.#AnxietyRelief #Mindfulness #MentalHealthAwareness #StressManagement #CalmYourMind #PatienceIsAVirtue #EmotionalResilience #MindfulLiving #AnxietySupport #SelfCareEveryday #BreatheThroughIt #MentalWellness #AnxietyCoach #InnerPeace #HealthyMind #CopingWithAnxiety #MindfulBreathing #OvercomingStress #MentalHealthTips #AnxietyReliefTools #SelfCompassion #EmotionalWellbeing #StressRelief #Calmness #DailyMindfulness #MindsetShift #HealingJourney #AnxietyAwareness #PeacefulMind #MentalClarity #ACP #Gina Ryan #AnxietyCoachesPodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina shares a most calming, soothing salve with listeners. The practice of meditation is discussed. It is emphasized that meditation does not require anything of you. Meditation is an opportunity to exist for a time in freedom, without any external demands on you. Listen in and enjoy an extended moment of peace as Gina guides you through a meditation of space and stillness. Remember your peace and calm.Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyChapters0:27 Meditation Without Striving5:03 Rest Instead of Fixing9:49 Settling Into Stillness11:29 Breathing and Letting Be13:30 The Mind Wants a Job14:22 Off Duty for a Moment15:24 Sounds Can Come and Go18:36 Closing With Gentle ReturnIn this episode, we focus on meditation as a simple way of being with ourselves, rather than another task to complete or another method for fixing anxiety. We talk about how meditation can become part of a checklist, and instead offer it as a few minutes with nothing to do and nowhere to go.We explore how anxiety pulls us into the future, constant checking, and self-monitoring. We note that being caught in thought is not the same as being present with ourselves, and that meditation gives us a brief break from trying to manage every feeling, sensation, or thought.The second half of the episode is a guided meditation. We settle the body, notice support beneath us, and observe the breath without trying to change it. We practice allowing thoughts, sensations, restlessness, and anxiety to be present without reacting to them.We also spend time noticing the body, sounds in the environment, and the mind’s urge to evaluate whether meditation is working. The practice emphasizes that nothing needs to be achieved, and that even uncomfortable feelings can be here without needing to be solved.At the end, we return attention to the room and the body, and we are encouraged to carry this into daily life by taking small moments of quiet without waiting until we feel overwhelmed.#AnxietyCoachesPodcast #Mindfulness #MeditationPractice #AnxietyRelief #SelfSurveillance #PresentMoment #MentalHealth #OvercomingAnxiety #SomaticAwareness #Aloha #GinaRyan #GuidedMeditation #AnxietySupport #NervousSystemHealing #MindfulLiving #StressRelief #InnerPeace #MentalHealthAwareness #CalmYourMind #SelfCareFirst #GroundingExercise #EmotionalWellbeing #PeaceAndCalm #SelfCompassion #MentalWellness #LetGo #Breathwork #FindYourCalm #MindsetShift #HealingAnxiety #PresenceOverPerfection #MentalHealthMatters #WellnessJourney #MeditationCommunity #StressLess #MindfulMoments #PodcastLife #HealthAndWellness #QuietTheMind #SelfLove #GinaRyanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina discusses the frequent anxiety related behavior of symptom monitoring and how to overcome it. This is another core aspect of Claire Weekes' anxiety recovery protocol: acceptance, and more emphatically, utter acceptance. Learning to become comfortable with any symptoms anxiety throws at us is very helpful for our anxiety recovery. Utter acceptance of the symptoms can help us do this. Listen in and let go of constant self-monitoring today!Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Recovery lies in the places you fear. Go to them with utter acceptance and let time pass.-Dr. Claire WeekesChapters0:27 Utter Acceptance Begins3:48 The Monitoring Trap10:20 Body Scans vs Scanning15:48 Loosening the Checking Habit20:32 Trust Over SupervisionSummaryIn this episode we focus on moving from symptom monitoring toward self-trust through Claire Weekes’ idea of utter acceptance. We explain how this differs from radical acceptance, which is about accepting reality, while utter acceptance means full permission for bodily fear without bracing, checking, or resistance.We talk about how anxiety often keeps us in a cycle of monitoring the body, seeking reassurance, and searching for explanations. We describe how attention to sensations like heartbeat, breathing, dizziness, or fatigue can make them feel more urgent, which then increases anxiety and creates more sensations to monitor.We also distinguish anxious body checking from mindful body scanning. A mindful scan is described as curious and non-judgmental, while anxious scanning looks for danger and tries to confirm safety. We note that even meditation can become a checking ritual if we use it to test whether we feel better.We then outline practical steps for reducing monitoring: noticing checking habits without judgment, pausing before checking, shifting attention outward, stopping daily comparisons, choosing one checking behavior to loosen, using permission phrases, and allowing progress to be imperfect. The episode closes by emphasizing that the opposite of monitoring is trust, and that we can notice uncertainty and still continue with daily life.#Anxiety #AnxietyRelief #PanicAttack #AnxietyRecovery #ClaireWeeks #UtterAcceptance #RadicalAcceptance #HealthAnxiety #Interoception #SymptomMonitoring #Mindfulness #NervousSystem #SelfTrust #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxietySupport #OvercomingAnxiety #BodyScan #DBT #SelfCare #InnerPeace #StressRelief #DropTheStruggle #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #EmotionalWellness #Mindset #HolisticHealing #Wellness #LetItBe #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, Gina discusses Claire Weekes' concept of "floating" and how to best understand this step in her anxiety clearing protocol. Floating is a natural companion to the important "acceptance" step and is an essential aspect to clearing anxiety. Being able to float and not respond to the uncomfortable symptoms anxiety throws at us ensures our best path through any anxiety provoking situation. Listen in and master Claire Weekes' "floating"!Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One CoachingIf you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for AnxietyQuote:Do not resist the wave of fear. The less you fear it, the less it will frighten you.-Dr. Claire WeekesChapters0:27 Floating and Acceptance4:00 What Floating Means8:27 Stop Adding Friction10:42 Nervous System Armor12:49 Active Willingness15:21 Move With the Wave16:17 Floating in Daily Life17:29 A Calm Practice19:03 Less Resistance, More EaseSummaryIn this episode we continue our series on Dr. Claire Weeks and focus on her teaching about “floating.” We explain how this term relates to acceptance, allowing sensations, and non-resistance in modern language. We frame floating as stopping the habit of fighting anxiety rather than doing something to anxiety.We use the example of learning to float in water to show how tension and effort can make it harder to stay afloat. In the same way, we describe how anxiety often leads us to brace, clamp down, and try to control symptoms, which adds more strain. Floating is presented as softening into the experience instead of tightening against it.We also connect the idea to nervous system responses, describing common signs like shallow breathing, clenched muscles, narrowed attention, and racing thoughts. We suggest small acts of release, such as loosening the jaw, unclenching the hands, and easing tension by just a small amount. Floating is described as active willingness, not passivity.We compare this approach to images like Chinese finger traps, quicksand, and waves in the ocean, where struggle makes the situation worse and cooperation is more effective. We then offer simple language to use in difficult moments, such as noticing that sensations are present and returning attention to the next breath or next step.We close with a short practice of relaxing the face, shoulders, hands, and breathing, and imagining resting on calm water. We end by emphasizing that healing comes from changing our relationship with fear, not from winning a battle against it.#Anxiety #AnxietyRelief #PanicAttacks #ClaireWeeks #FloatingThroughAnxiety #NervousSystem #NervousSystemRegulation #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Acceptance #RadicalAcceptance #SomaticHealing #AnxietyRecovery #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #StressRelief #SelfCare #EmotionalRegulation #FightOrFlight #MentalWellness #PeaceAndCalm #HealingJourney #OvercomingAnxiety #StressManagement #SomaticPractices #MindfulLiving #LettingGo #SelfCompassion #InnerPeace #MentalHealthAwareness #ACPSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.