Anxiety Connection

Wendy Leeds

The Anxiety Connection is a one-stop resource where anxious people everywhere can come together for a sense of connection, understanding, and to get the latest information on what causes anxiety and how to manage it. Host Wendy Leeds, a three-time-cancer survivor and psychotherapist, shares her personal story of life-long anxiety, how she’s dealt with cancer, and found her way through her fear to the other side. As an experienced therapist, she shares the latest research, explores ways anxiety impacts our lives and offers simple, effective tools and techniques that you can use to ease your fears. read less

Should I Go to Therapy? 8 Reasons to See a Therapist | Ep #53
May 9 2023
Should I Go to Therapy? 8 Reasons to See a Therapist | Ep #53
Have you ever thought about seeing a therapist? Or maybe there’s someone in your life you think might benefit from talking to a mental health professional? In this episode I tackle the stigma of seeking help for our mental health in today’s culture. And I share the 8 reasons for talking to a therapist and how it can make a real difference in how we think and feel. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: If you are having suicidal thoughts or plans, please take this seriously: Call a trusted friendCall or text 988, the Crisis LifelineGo to the nearest emergency roomCall the suicide prevention number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Chapter 10 of my book is about how to assess a therapist to make sure they are a good fit – including the questions to ask a therapist. The book is: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free  https://wendyleeds.com/book MORE RESOURCES: QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety https://wendyleeds.com/quiz DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling.   WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ CITATIONS: 1.    Robinson, Byran, Ph.D. Bebruary 4, 2021. 47% of Americans Believe Seeking Therapy is a sign of weakness. Forbes.com https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/02/04/47-of-americans-believe-seeking-therapy-is-a-sign-of-weakness/?sh=72c00e884413 2.    What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ 3.    Sack, David, MD. March 18, 2013. 5 Signs It’s Time to Seek Therapy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201303/5-signs-its-time-seek-therapy © 2020 - 2023 Wendy Leeds
The Power of Planning: The 4 Steps to Getting Unstuck | Ep #52
Apr 11 2023
The Power of Planning: The 4 Steps to Getting Unstuck | Ep #52
Fear can keep us feeling stuck, alone, and helpless. But having an effective plan of action can take us past those fears to get what we really want out of life. Please join me as I share my simple 4-step process for creating that action plan and then putting it to work. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:  In my last episode, I covered procrastination – which is also fueled by fear: Procrastination: 4 Simple Steps to Reduce Its Power Over You (Episode 51) https://www.wendyleeds.com/podcast/episode/2cb1a84a/ Yes, you can safely get your tongue unstuck from a frozen pole! Here’s where I learned how: Grande, Laura. Feb. 23, 2015. How to Unstick a Tongue From a Metal Pole. Todaysparent.com https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/how-to-unstick-your-tongue-from-a-metal-pole/ See below for ways to connect with me. I look forward to hearing from you! MORE RESOURCES:  BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free https://wendyleeds.com/book QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety  https://wendyleeds.com/quiz DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling.    WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ © 2020 - 2023 Wendy Leeds
Choose to Bloom: Even on Winter's Darkest Days | Ep #49
Dec 13 2022
Choose to Bloom: Even on Winter's Darkest Days | Ep #49
Do the short, cold days of winter leave you feeling exhausted and “blah?” Are you feeling paralyzed with sadness? If so, you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.  Please join me as I share my story of how a tiny surprise reminded me how to find light and color on even the “blah” days.   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Episode 24 “10 Ways to Beat the Winter Doldrums” Episode 48: “Dealing with Holiday Stress and Anxiety” Subscribe to follow my progress on the new book: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe   SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON: If you’re suffering or feeling overwhelmed by your fears, one of the most powerful things you can do is to reach out to a qualified, licensed mental health professional. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. And working with a good therapist can help you feel better almost immediately. According to a study by David Sack, MD, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology “88 percent of therapy goers reported improvements after just one session.” If you’re not sure where to start, please talk to your health care provider. Also, here are three reputable websites that you can use to connect with a therapist in your area: American Psychological Association: https://locator.apa.orgPsychology Today: https://psychologytoday.com/us/therapistsAnxiety and Depression Association of America: https://members.adaa.org/page/FATMain ​ IMPORTANT: If you’re in crisis, especially if you are thinking of harming yourself or anyone else – please call for help NOW! CALL or TEXT 988 The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a U.S.-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It is founded and run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. ONLINE: https://988lifeline.org OR CALL: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.   MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free https://wendyleeds.com/book QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety https://wendyleeds.com/quiz DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling.   WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/   © 2022 Wendy Leeds
Dealing with Holiday Stress and Anxiety | Ep #48
Nov 15 2022
Dealing with Holiday Stress and Anxiety | Ep #48
If you’re dreading the holiday season this year, you’re not alone. The holidays are tough for so many of us. If you’re already feeling anxious and worried about how you’re going to get through the next few weeks, please join me in making 5 powerful commitments to help you meet the challenges ahead with a sense of peace and calm.   LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Chapter 51 of my book is about how to manage difficult relationships that bring you stress & anxiety: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free. More info here: https://wendyleeds.com/book   SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON: If you’re suffering or feeling overwhelmed by your fears, one of the most powerful things you can do is to reach out to a qualified, licensed mental health professional. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. And working with a good therapist can help you feel better almost immediately. According to a study by David Sack, MD, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology “88 percent of therapy goers reported improvements after just one session.” If you’re not sure where to start, please talk to your health care provider. Also, here are three reputable websites that you can use to connect with a therapist in your area: American Psychological Association: https://locator.apa.orgPsychology Today: https://psychologytoday.com/us/therapistsAnxiety and Depression Association of America: https://members.adaa.org/page/FATMain ​ IMPORTANT: If you’re thinking of harming yourself or anyone else please call for help NOW! Call 911 or the Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Visit: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org   MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety https://wendyleeds.com/quiz DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling.   WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/
Walking into the Fire | Ep #46
Sep 13 2022
Walking into the Fire | Ep #46
Firefighters have an iron-clad rule about how to walk into a fire, which can be applied to those of us who suffer from anxiety: Never go in alone. As a cancer survivor, I know the power of community for getting through some very dark days. I know what it’s like to struggle with the loneliness and fear of anxiety’s flame. Join me in this episode as we apply the lesson, together. Having a community here in OUR Anxiety Connection means we never have to walk into the fire alone. WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleedskeepingcalm/ MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free https://wendyleeds.com/book QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety https://wendyleeds.com/quiz DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling. © 2022 Wendy Leeds
The Three Rules for Eating to Ease Anxiety | Ep #45
Jul 19 2022
The Three Rules for Eating to Ease Anxiety | Ep #45
Did you know what you eat may play a role in your anxiety? We all know that what we eat can have a real impact on our physical health, but recent research suggests what we eat can have a real impact on our mental health as well. Please join me as I share my three simple rules for what and how to eat to promote good health and to ease your anxiety. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: I have three chapters on this topic in my book, Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free. I cover which foods are best for easing anxiety – and which foods to avoid: Chapter 44: Nourish Yourself.Chapter 45: Eat and Drink This,and Chapter 46: Don’t Eat and Drink This. More info and purchase links here. Since I’ll be taking a break until September, I invite you to SUBSCRIBE to be notified when new episodes publish. Here are the articles I mentioned if you’d like to do a deeper dive: “In her article in the MIT News, Judith Wurtman writes….” February 25, 2004. Carbs essential for effective dieting, good mood, Wurtman says. MIT News “On the other hand, the “bad” or simple carbs….” Leal, Darla. May 21, 2021. All You Need to Know About Carbohydrates: Simple, Complex, Fiber, and What to Chose.” Verywell life “When we eat something sugary….” Peterson, Tanya, J. January 6, 2020. Sugar and Anxiety: How Sugar Can Make Your Anxiety Symptoms Worse. Healthyplace.com “According to Sara Lindberg, writing for healthline.com….” Lindberg, Sara, BS, ME.d. June 23, 2020. Your Anxiety Loves Sugar. Eat These 3 Things Instead. Healthline.com “A report in the November 2021 issue of the Sapien Journal…” November 28, 2021. People who eat meat experience lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to vegans. Sapienjournal.org "In her new book, The Anatomy of Anxiety, Vora, Ellen, MD. writes…. Vora, Ellen, MD. (2022) The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body’s Fear Response Harper Collins, New York. (pg 101) “And if you’re interested in eating to ease anxiety….” Mazzulllo, Natalie April 12, 2022 What spices and foods can help with anxiety and stress. Nevada Today.edu. “According to an article in Web MD…” Dallas, Mary Elizabeth. June 23, 2015. Food Eating Order May Affect Type 2 Blood Sugar. WebMD “Emotionally it can cause feelings of regret, shame and failure….” Abraham, Micah. March 1, 2021. What Causes Anxiety After Eating? calmclinic.com MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling right now. © 2022 Wendy Leeds
Something Old, Something New | Ep #42
Apr 12 2022
Something Old, Something New | Ep #42
A Meditation Technique That Might Actually Work This Time Do you struggle to meditate? Do you find it hard to still your mind and your body? Me too! But I’ve found an ancient, “new to me” practice that’s powerful, time-tested, and easy to do. I invite you to join me as I share this amazing body-mind technique — one that works for everyone from experienced meditators to those of us just beginning our practice. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation “Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation is becoming scientifically recognized as a powerful tool for preventing or stopping Alzheimer’s disease, increasing all aspects of cognitive function, (perception, thinking, reasoning and remembering) and reducing stress levels while improving short term memory.” SOURCE: https://agelessartsyoga.com/instructor-group-yoga/tag/sa-na-ta-ma/ For more on the research behind these claims, see the following articles: Spiritual Fitness: A New Dimension in Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation Research for Memory – Kirtan Kriya A randomized controlled trial of Kundalini yoga in mild cognitive impairment A Review on Therapeutic Effect of Kirtan Kriya Yoga LINKS TO ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll give you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling right now. Lastly, I invite you to subscribe to be notified when new episodes publish: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe © 2022 Wendy Leeds
4 Techniques to Help You Fall Asleep | Ep #40
Feb 15 2022
4 Techniques to Help You Fall Asleep | Ep #40
Do you lie awake at night, unable to fall asleep, filled with anxiety? Do you find yourself lying awake at 3 am, staring at the ceiling, dreading having to drag yourself through another day, knowing you’ll wake up bleary and exhausted? If insomnia is a persistent issue for you, I get it. It’s an issue for me too. As a practicing psychotherapist, I’ve developed a set of techniques: I invite you to join me as I share four of my favorite methods to help yourself fall asleep. Links from the episode: DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life https://wendyleeds.com/techniques MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It https://wendyleeds.com/course Click here or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll give you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling right now. VIDEOS: Including the B.E.A.R. Technique https://wendyleeds.com/videos QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety https://wendyleeds.com/quiz BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free https://wendyleeds.com/book EMAIL: Subscribe to be notified when new episodes publish: https://wendyleeds.com/subscribe Articles referenced in the episode: The pandemic has left women more anxious and tired than men, says this surveyWarm feet promote the rapid onset of sleepEffectiveness of acupressure for residents of long-term care facilities with insomnia: A randomized controlled trialThe relationship of subjective sleep quality and cardiac autonomic nervous system in postmenopausal women with insomnia under auricular acupressure © 2022 Wendy Leeds