Behavioral Neuroscientist Shows You How to Break The Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle | Judson Brewer | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Dr. Judd Brewer shares insights on the anxiety stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak and offers strategies to help individuals manage their mindset and reduce stress.

Key Insights

• 😵‍💫 Anxiety is normal, but it can spiral out of control when combined with fear, uncertainty, and social contagion.
• 🔁 Understanding our habit loops and triggers is vital for managing anxiety effectively.
• 😃 Calm, connection, and kindness serve as "bigger better offers" that can help counteract anxiety.
• 💭 Awareness and mindfulness are essential for maintaining control over our thoughts and behavior.
• 🫠 Reading books can provide a sense of connection, alleviating feelings of isolation.
• 🖐️ Social contagion plays a significant role in the spread of anxiety and panic.
• 🥡 Taking things less personally and focusing on the present moment can help reduce anxiety.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it essential to address anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Anxiety is increasingly prevalent as people face fear and uncertainty due to the pandemic. Addressing anxiety is crucial as it affects our mental health and overall well-being during these challenging times.

Q: How does social contagion impact anxiety levels?

Social contagion is the spread of emotion from one person to another. It can intensify anxiety when paired with fear and uncertainty, leading to panic and irrational behaviors. Social media and panic posts can contribute significantly to the spread of anxiety.

Q: Can you explain the key strategies for managing anxiety?

The first step is to become aware of our habit loops and triggers that contribute to anxiety. The next step is to identify a larger, more positive incentive for our brain, such as kindness, connection, and calm. Finally, maintaining awareness and focusing on the present moment can help manage anxiety effectively.

Q: How can reading books help alleviate feelings of isolation?

Reading books allows us to connect with the characters and their experiences, providing a sense of companionship and belonging. It can help us escape from our own thoughts and emotions, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of connection.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Anxiety is a normal response to fear and uncertainty, but it can spiral out of control when paired with social contagion, causing panic and irrational behaviors.

• The key to managing anxiety is to understand how our survival mechanisms work and how they can be triggered and amplified by fear and uncertainty.

• To combat anxiety, it is important to become aware of our habit loops, retrain our brains to focus on more rewarding behaviors such as kindness, connection, and calm, and practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment.