S1 E8 How to Change Your Relationship with Anxiety: Simple Evidence Based Strategies for Reframing Negative Thoughts
In this conversation, Jane and Amanda discuss anxiety and its relationship with alcohol. They explore the role of emotions in drinking and the common experience of using alcohol to manage anxiety. They emphasize the importance of changing our relationship with anxiety and offer tools for coping with anxious thoughts. They also address the fear of being labeled an alcoholic and provide strategies for reframing negative thoughts. Overall, the conversation highlights the normalcy of anxiety and the potential for personal growth and transformation in an alcohol-free life.
Takeaways
- Anxiety is a normal and healthy state that humans need to survive.
- Changing our relationship with anxiety is essential for living an alcohol-free or sober curious life.
- Negative thoughts about being labeled an alcoholic can be reframed by focusing on personal health and well-being.
- Testing our thinking by considering the worst case, coping strategies, best case, and likelihood can help challenge anxious thoughts.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Catching Up
Introduction and Catching Up
01:48
The Role of Anxiety in Drinking
The Role of Anxiety in Drinking
06:07
Changing Our Relationship with Anxiety
Changing Our Relationship with Anxiety
09:20
Understanding Anxiety as a Normal State
Understanding Anxiety as a Normal State
12:08
Problematic Anxiety and Avoidance
Problematic Anxiety and Avoidance
13:37
Shifting from Defensive to Offensive
Shifting from Defensive to Offensive
16:14
Addressing the Fear of Being Labeled an Alcoholic
Addressing the Fear of Being Labeled an Alcoholic
22:31
Testing Your Thinking: Worst Case, Coping, Best Case, and Likelihood
Testing Your Thinking: Worst Case, Coping, Best Case, and Likelihood
27:40
Changing Negative Thoughts and Choosing Positive Ones
Changing Negative Thoughts and Choosing Positive Ones
31:49
Conclusion and Invitation for Listener Questions
Conclusion and Invitation for Listener Questions
Creators and Guests
Host
Jane W Ballard
Jane Ballard, LCSW-S, CEDS, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist and Alcohol Free Life coach. She is the founder of Jane Ballard Wellness, a private practice offering in-person counseling services in Dallas, TX and virtual individual and group coaching to women in the United States and beyond. After waking up to the realization that alcohol was a barrier to living her purpose, she set out to make information, support and connection more accessible to like minded women.