Anxiety can be an exhausting cycle. When you worry, you have a false sense of control and a feeling that you are “doing something” about what you fear, but it only leads to more anxiety and stress in the long term. In this episode Diana sits down with Dr. Jud Brewer, neuroscientist and author of Unwinding Anxiety, for a second time! They explore a fresh, science-backed perspective on anxiety. According to Dr. Jud, anxiety is a habit loop, and there are simple strategies to break the cycle. Listen in for some practical advice on how to unwind your anxiety today!

Listen and Learn:

How Diana and Debbie approach anxiety from an ACT perspectiveSome of the intricacies of exposure-based therapy with ACTWhy Dr. Jud dedicated his book to the “Amazon addict” About Dr. Jud’s  model of anxiety as a habit loopThe three gears to shift out of anxiety and how it is linked to reward-based learning What to do when all you can think about are your worriesHow to identify the point of diminishing return and form new habit loops (and what both of those things are!)Practical advice on working with curiosity amidst anxietyJud’s research-backed wisdom on when (and if) anxiety improves your performanceDr. Jud’s personal experience with anxiety Jud’s hopes for the future in helping people with anxiety

Resources:

Jud’s book, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor To find out more about Jud’s Unwinding Anxiety App, look here  Jud’s programs, TED talks and videos, and clinician resources   Pre-Order Diana and Debbie’s new book: ACT Daily Journal and get some freebies!

About Jud Brewer:

Dr. Jud Brewer is an internationally renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist. Dr. Jud is the director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University, as well as the executive medical director of behavioral health at Sharecare. His most recent book is Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind.

Related POTC Episodes:

Episode 167. Get Curious and Change Unhealthy Habits with Judson Brewer Episode 139. Neurodharma with Rick Hanson (Part 1)Episode 140. Neurodharma with Dr. Rick Hanson (Part 2)Episode 131. COVID-19 Anxiety, Cultivating Safeness, and Polyvagal Theory with Stephen Porges