The Anxiety Coaches Podcast

In today's episode, Gina discusses one of Claire Weekes' most important topics in her anxiety recovery methodology: acceptance. Through liberal application of Weekes' acceptance, individuals with anxiety will improve their anxiety recovery journey. Embracing acceptance of life circumstances automatically reduces resistance. Resistance to what is in our lives is a significant source of our suffering (anxiety related and otherwise). Listen in an strengthen your acceptance practice 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.

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Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?

Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety

Quote:

You are the sky. Everything else- it's just the weather.

-Pema Chödrön

Chapters
0:27 Welcome to Anxiety Coaches Podcast
1:16 Understanding Acceptance
8:56 What Acceptance Is Not
10:00 Acceptance in Daily Life
13:23 Floating Through Anxiety
15:34 A Simple Acceptance Practice
18:21 Closing Reflection

Summary
In this episode, we continue our discussion of Dr. Claire Weekes’s approach to anxiety, focusing on the meaning of acceptance. We explain that acceptance does not mean giving up, approving of anxiety, or resigning ourselves to it. Instead, it means stopping the struggle with what is already happening in the present moment.

We distinguish between disliking anxiety and fighting it. We note that resistance can add another layer of fear and stress, while willingness can soften the nervous system. We describe acceptance as a posture rather than a feeling, and we use examples such as dizziness, intrusive thoughts, and a racing heart to show the difference between resistance and acceptance in daily life.

We also connect Claire Weekes’s teaching with Pema Chödrön’s ideas about staying present and not hardening against discomfort. We describe acceptance as a form of “floating” through sensations without trying to force them away. This is presented as a way to reduce the second fear and to support nervous system retraining.

We end with practical language and a brief micro-practice: pausing, relaxing the shoulders and jaw, breathing normally, and using willingness phrases such as “I’m willing to let this be here” or “I can float through this moment.” We emphasize that acceptance is a skill that becomes easier with repetition and that it allows healing without adding unnecessary suffering.

#Anxiety #AnxietyRelief #PanicAttacks #ClaireWeeks #DrClaireWeeks #AnxietyRecovery #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #NervousSystemHealing #Mindfulness #Acceptance #PemaChodron #SelfCompassion #AnxietySupport #OvercomingAnxiety #StressRelief #InnerPeace #MentalWellness #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #FloatingThroughAnxiety #HealingJourney #SelfCare #MindsetShift #DropTheStruggle #PanicDisorder #HealthAnxiety #Agoraphobia #FightOrFlight #NervousSystemRegulation #VagusNerve #SomaticHealing #ACTTherapy #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #Overthinking #IntrusiveThoughts #SelfHelp #EmotionalHealing #HolisticHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastEpisode #WellnessPodcast #MindBodyConnection #CalmYourMind #StressManagement #AnxietyTips #MentalHealthCommunity #NonResistance #InnerCalm #Empathy #ACP
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In today's episode, Gina discusses an important component of Claire Weekes' conception of anxiety: first fear and second fear. First fear is the body's initial alarm response to a threat or other aversive stimulus in the environment. We cannot control first fear. Second fear includes the thoughts and interpretations of the first fear. It is with second fear that anxiety grows into an intense, unpleasant, chronic syndrome. It is also with second fear that we can influence if not outright control our response. Listen in to learn more about this distinction and how to gain better control over second fear and start to eliminate your anxiety 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.com

Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program

1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching

If 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 Anxiety

Quote:

The experience is not nearly as important as your reaction to the experience. Do not add second fear

-Claire Weekes

Chapters
0:27 First and Second Fear
3:04 Two Arrows of Suffering
5:06 What First Fear Means
7:43 Understanding Second Fear
11:33 Claire Weeks' Four Steps
13:31 Riding the Anxiety Wave
15:13 How Second Fear Grows
16:41 A New Recovery Lens
18:29 Freedom Through Practice

Summary
In this episode, we explore Claire Weekes’ teaching on first fear, second fear, and recovery from anxiety. We discuss how a sudden anxious or panicky reaction is an automatic bodily response, while the added fear about that reaction is what often increases distress.

We explain first fear as the body’s immediate alarm response, with physical sensations such as racing heart, tight chest, dizziness, or shakiness. We note that this response happens before conscious thought and is part of the nervous system’s automatic protective function.

We then focus on second fear, described as the thoughts and interpretations added on top of the initial sensation, such as “what if this gets worse” or “something is wrong with me.” We compare this to the Buddhist parable of two arrows, where the first arrow is the original discomfort and the second is the added reaction that causes more suffering.

We also outline Claire Weekes’ four steps: face, accept, float, and let time pass. These steps are presented as a way to stop adding fear to fear, allow sensations to rise and fall, and give the nervous system time to settle.

Finally, we describe how this approach can apply in everyday situations such as panic in a store, intrusive thoughts, dizziness, or fear of another panic attack. The main point is that recovery comes from changing our relationship to the sensations rather than trying to eliminate them completely.

#FirstFear #SecondFear #ClaireWeeks #FearOfTheFear #ParableOfTwoArrows #TwoArrows #CatastrophicThinking #SecondaryAnxiety #AutomaticResponse #NervousSystemRegulation #FightOrFlight #AdrenalineBurnout #BrainRetraining #SomaticExperiencing #FaceAcceptFloat #LetTimePass #AnxietyRecovery #PanicAttackRecovery #AnxietyRelief #OvercomingAnxiety #PanicDisorder #AgoraphobiaRecovery #HealthAnxiety #IntrusiveThoughts #MindfulnessForAnxiety #NervousSystemHealing #AnxietySupport #PanicRelief #HealingAnxiety #AnxietyTips #NervousSystemReset #SomaticTracking #AnxietyWarrior #MindfulLiving #SelfCompassion #BeGentleWithYourself #RadicalAcceptance #NonResistance #LettingGo #MindBodyConnection #PeaceAndCalm #EmotionalResilience #BuddhistTeachings #MentalWellness #InnerPeace #MentalHealthMatters #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #ACPPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #AnxietyCoaches #WellnessPodcast #PodcastMetadata
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In today;s episode, Gina introduces a new series she is doing on the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, devoted to helping update Claire Weekes' anxiety recovery methods to our contemporary vocabulary and world. Specifically in this episode, the point that anxiety recovery is not about eliminating fear but adapting how we come to meet fear, is emphasized. Listen in for more discussion about Claire Weekes' work and what to expect in upcoming episodes!

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.com

Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program

1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching

If 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 Anxiety

Quote:

Recovery lies in the way we meet fear, not in the absence of fear.

-Claire Weekes

Chapters
0:27 Claire Weeks Rediscovered

Summary
In this episode, we begin a new series revisiting the work of Dr. Claire Weekes and her ideas about anxiety recovery. We discuss why her books have been influential over the years and how her observations continue to fit with later language about nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity, and trauma-informed care.

We focus on the idea that recovery is not about eliminating fear, but about how we meet it. We introduce some of Weekes’ terms in modern language, including “nervous illness” as a broad description for anxiety, panic, health anxiety, and chronic stress-related symptoms.

We also address a common misunderstanding of Weekes’ advice. Rather than treating “face, accept, float, and let time pass” as a checklist or technique, we frame them as a different relationship to experience. The emphasis is on stopping the fight with anxiety and learning not to treat every symptom as an emergency.

We connect this to modern neuroscience by explaining that repeated alarm teaches the nervous system to keep noticing the same sensations and thoughts. We then outline topics we will explore in future episodes, including first fear and second fear, acceptance, floating, letting time pass, and why reassurance and self-monitoring can keep anxiety going.

The episode closes with a reflection on asking, “How do I want to relate to this moment?” instead of “What technique should I use?” We return to the idea that recovery unfolds gradually as we become less afraid of our own experience.

#AnxietyRecovery #ClaireWeeks #NervousSystemRegulation #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #HopeAndHelpForYourNerves #FloatAndLetTimePass #MentalHealthMatters #Mindfulness #PanicDisorder #GeneralizedAnxiety #OvercomingAnxiety #NervousSystemHealing #Neuroplasticity #PanicAttackRelief #ChronicAnxiety #InnerPeace #StressManagement #TraumaInformedCare #HealingJourney #MentalHealthPodcast #CalmYourMind #MindBodyConnection #AnxietySupport #EmotionalWellbeing #GinaRyan
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Today's episode we have a listener question from the Send Voicemail Tab on our website. Kellie asks about how to deal with building anxiety when in a social setting.

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.com

Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program

1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching

If 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 Anxiety

Quote:

We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.

-Marcel Proust

Chapters
0:27 SpeakPipe Question
3:31 Social Anxiety Tools
7:22 Relax the Body
12:46 Stop Adding Fuel
16:20 Shake It Out
19:06 Proust’s Wisdom

Summary
In this episode, we speak about a listener question from Kelly, who describes living with long-term anxiety that has affected work, driving, being alone, and social situations. We focus on what to do when anxiety rises in the middle of everyday settings where it is not practical to step away and process it privately.

We explain that the main practice is to prepare in quieter moments, especially during meditation or other practice time, so acceptance and “floating” become more familiar. When anxiety shows up in the moment, we suggest noticing the body’s signals and using physical relaxation as a cue of safety.

We describe simple techniques such as tensing and releasing muscles, relaxing the shoulders, jaw, hands, feet, and legs, and using small movements or shaking out tension when appropriate. The point is to send the brain a message that there is no immediate danger, rather than trying to force away thoughts.

We also address the tendency to add a second layer of distress by worrying about how we look, whether others notice, or whether we can get through the situation. We encourage noticing that extra self-criticism and not feeding it, since that can intensify the anxiety.

Finally, we emphasize that repeated practice makes these responses easier to access in daily life. The episode closes with a quote about discovering wisdom through our own journey.

#Anxiety #AnxietyRelief #SocialAnxiety #AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #StressManagement #MentalHealth #Meditation #Mindfulness #CopingStrategies #RelaxationTechniques #ProgressiveMuscleRelaxation #PettingTheLizard #Amygdala #FightOrFlight #SelfCare #EmotionalWellness #SecondArrow #AnxiousThoughts #CopingWithAnxiety #SocialAnxietyTips #PhysicalRelaxation #Calm #Peace #NervousSystemRegulation #SomaticTracking #PublicAnxiety #GroundingTechniques #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxietySupport #CopingMechanisms #SelfCompassion
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In today's episode, Gina shares a number of affirmations designed especially for when we are feeling anxiety around time pressure, urgency and the feeling of being behind in our lives. Repeating these affirmations to ourselves throughout the day can take advantage of a shaping and adaptation process our body and mind undergo based on what we give our attention. Use these affirmations throughout the day and begin to adapt your mind and body to a better, more peaceful life 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.com

Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program

1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching

If 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 Anxiety

Quote:

The trouble is, you think you have time.

-Jack Kornfield

Chapters
0:27 Affirmations and Anxiety
4:48 Bridge Thoughts for Calm
8:05 Gentle Phrases to Try
10:58 Summer Slows the Pace
14:09 Repeat to Reassure

Summary
In this episode we talk about affirmations and how we can use them in a more grounded way, especially when we feel time pressure, urgency, and a constant sense of being behind. We explain that our mind is already repeating messages all day, and that many of those messages increase tension in the body.

We discuss why affirmations are not meant to deny reality or force overly positive statements. Instead, we use them to gently shift attention toward thoughts that the nervous system can actually स्वीकार or tolerate, because repeated attention can shape perception and the body’s response.

We focus on starting with believable phrases that feel possible rather than overwhelming. Examples include taking things one moment at a time, being with a feeling and still breathing, or learning to slow down. We describe these as bridge thoughts that soften internal pressure instead of creating more resistance.

We also talk about practicing this in daily life without treating it like another task. The aim is to notice urgency when it shows up, introduce steadier thoughts, and create a little more space between reactions. We close with a set of gentle affirmations and encourage noticing how they feel in the body.

#anxiety, #mindfulness, #affirmations, #podcast, #mentalhealth, #calm, #selfcare, #personalgrowth, #stressrelief, #relaxation, #healing, #meditation, #peace, #wellness, #mentalwellness, #innerpeace, #anxietyrelief, #selflove, #gentleliving, #slowdown, #mindfulliving, #nervoussystem, #timepressure, #urgency, #breath, #practices, #support, #coaching, #aloha, #jackkornfield, #anxietycoachespodcast, #ginaryan, #bridgethoughts, #safetypatterns, #nervoussystemregulation, #stoprushing, #presentmoment, #summercalm, #mentalspace, #overcomingurgency #ACP
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