We often think of anxiety as one thing, but brain imaging studies have found that we use 2 different parts of the brain when we experience
anxiety
Dr. Tracy Packiam shares the following:
1) Anxious apprehension (worry, overthinking; OCD): Left brain – language (speech production)
2) Anxious arousal (Panic / phobia): right brain (temporal lobe) threat response
This means it is important for us to find the right tools for the job!
Ex: Fear of flying,
Don’t: Use your Left/Language brain to “talk” yourself out of that fear won’t help.
Do: VISUALIZE
Why it works: Multiple studies have demonstrated the power of
visualization in managing anxiety; it “tricks” the brain into thinking
you have already done the activity (flying) and survived!
Ex: Overthinking / worry
Don’t: Use your right/emotional brain to try to “feel happy”
Do: Acknowledge the worry, and create a different Narrative