In this episode of the Anxiety Podcast, we dive into the fundamental concept of safety.

I share personal stories about my father's struggles with mental health during the holidays and how these experiences left me feeling unsafe and on edge as a child.

Feeling safe is such an important part of healing from anxiety, so I talk about ways to create that sense of safety for yourself. I include simple but effective strategies like mindful breathing and self-soothing techniques. More than anything, I want to remind listeners that healing takes time and effort, but it’s possible to find those small moments of safety and start easing the constant state of hypervigilance.

Thank you for listening, and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions. PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________

TIMESTAMPS

Introduction to Safety (00:00:00) Dr. Kennedy introduces the topic of safety and its relation to anxiety, particularly during the holiday season.

Childhood Experiences of Unsafety (00:01:02) He shares personal anecdotes about his father's mental health struggles affecting his sense of safety as a child.

The Importance of Feeling Safe (00:02:02) Dr. Kennedy emphasizes that feeling safe is crucial for healing from anxiety and overcoming childhood trauma.

Hypervigilance and Its Impact (00:04:13) He discusses how hypervigilance prevents individuals from experiencing safety and contributes to ongoing anxiety.

Creating Safety in the Body (00:06:25) Dr. Kennedy explains the need for physical safety to combat hypervigilance and promote healing.

The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System (00:10:08) He describes how the nervous system's balance affects feelings of safety and anxiety.

Connection and Safety (00:11:10) Dr. Kennedy highlights the importance of social connections in establishing safety and overcoming anxiety.

Developing a Sense of Safety (00:12:33) He suggests methods for creating safety through body awareness and present-moment sensations.

Addressing Childhood Trauma (00:15:44) Dr. Kennedy reflects on how childhood experiences of trauma impact current perceptions of safety.

Using the Mind to Acknowledge Safety (00:16:55) He discusses the interplay between mind and body in recognizing and establishing a sense of safety.

Overcoming Hypervigilance (00:17:57) Dr. Kennedy explains how hypervigilance blocks connection and healing, leading to addictions and distractions.

Practical Ways to Create Safety (00:19:10) He offers strategies for improving breathing and staying present to cultivate safety within oneself.

Creating a Sense of Safety (00:20:20) Dr. Kennedy discusses the importance of recognizing safety in the moment, despite discomfort.

Daily Practices for Safety (00:21:21) He emphasizes the need for daily practices to foster a sense of safety and reduce hypervigilance.

Reversing Childhood Coping Strategies (00:21:21) Dr. Kennedy explains how to reverse childhood coping strategies related to hypervigilance and safety.

Small Steps to Safety (00:22:33) He encourages taking small steps to create safety, which can accumulate over time for greater security.

Hey everyone, welcome back to The AnxietyRX Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Lyons, a functional medicine expert who specializes in endocrine health and nutrition.

Dr. Lyons opens up about her own journey with anxiety and hormonal imbalances, which were heavily tied to her high-achieving lifestyle. We dive into how our childhood experiences can shape the way we show up as adults, and explore the complex link between hormones and mental health.

We also talk about why taking a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle changes is so important for long-term healing.

Dr. Lyons makes a powerful case for looking at the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—when it comes to achieving real wellness.

It’s a great conversation, and I think you’ll find it really insightful. Tune in!

Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.

PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX

If you liked this conversation with Dr. Lyons, you can take a short quiz and receive a file with a useful guide, by clicking the link below:

https://form.typeform.com/to/DrqW4qlv?typeform-source=www.thelyonsshare.org

______________________________

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

00:33 - Dr. Lyons' Work

01:24 - Personal Journey into Functional Medicine

06:22 - Understanding Anxiety and Its Roots

07:50 - Patient Assessment Process

10:40 - Adrenal Burnout Discussion

12:34 - Hormonal Changes and Anxiety

14:22 - Impact of Antidepressants

16:31 - Supporting Patients on Medications

17:05 - Recommended Supplements for Anxiety

18:28 - Ideal Patient Profile

20:05 - Importance of Connection in Healing

21:26 - Initial Steps with New Clients

22:51 - Insulin Resistance and Surprising Health Markers

23:32 - Intermittent Fasting Insights

24:56 - Importance of Real Nutrition

26:36 - B Vitamins and MTHFR

27:50 - Top Supplements for Perimenopausal Women

29:48 - Cod Liver Oil and Omega Supplements

31:33 - Adaptogens for Anxiety

33:08 - Nutrition and Anxiety Connection

37:03 - Hydration and Food Colorings

39:11 - Blood Sugar Balancing

41:00 - Empowering Nutrition Awareness

42:14 - Celebrating Small Wins in Nutrition

In this episode, I chat with Ian Abbott about the challenges of parenting, especially from a dad's point of view. We talk about how being aware of emotions is key and how parental anxiety can affect kids.

Ian shares some great tips from his parenting classes for dads, focusing on how important it is for fathers to connect with their children's feelings.

We discuss how to find the right balance between pushing kids to grow and giving them support, how curiosity helps us understand emotions, and how parenting roles are changing.

The conversation centers on creating a safe space for open talks and emotional growth.

Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.

PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX

______________________________

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

00:52 - Challenges in Parenting

01:38 - Emotional Awareness in Parenting

02:59 - Men Seeking Help

04:07 - Energetic Influence on Children

05:49 - Stereotypes of Fatherhood

06:52 -Guiding Children Through Challenges

07:27 - Emotional Development in Boys

09:17 - Goals of Parenting Classes

10:07 - Cultural Stigma Around Men's Emotions

10:26 - Benefits of Men's Groups

11:20 - Single Dads vs. Single Moms

12:14 - Nurturing and Challenging Dynamics

13:01 - Importance of Emotional Resilience

14:01 - Experiences of Discomfort

15:52 - Personal Growth Through Challenges

17:42 - Validating Emotions in Parenting

18:52 - Understanding Immersion in Parenting

19:10 - Information vs. Conversation in Courses

20:19 - The Importance of Slowing Down

23:03 - Curiosity Over Fixing

23:59 - Building Resilience in Parenting

26:44 - Emotional Immaturity in Parenting

27:16 - Role Reversal in Parenting

29:02 - Modeling Healthy Behavior

30:20 - Humor as a Coping Mechanism

31:54 - Parenting Daughters Softly

32:08 - Common Challenges in Parenting

33:17 - Self-Awareness and Reflection

34:43 - Visualizing Conflict and Repair

35:03 - The Importance of Repair

36:01 - Handling Discomfort in Parenting

36:59 - Listening vs. Fixing

38:00 - Asking for Understanding

39:16 - Girls and Emotional Expression

40:18 - Creating Open Conversations

41:01 - Body Awareness and Emotional Regulation

42:35 - Using Self as a Reference Point

43:49 - The Power of Connection

44:34 - Normalizing Male Emotions

45:14 - Emotional Sovereignty

46:30 - Shame and Emotional Disconnect

47:07 - Finding Ian's Course

48:37 - Shared Experiences in Parenting Classes

49:27 - Learning and Empowerment

50:00 - Managing Children's Emotional Outbursts