Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign what's worthwhile healing Mind, body and spirit. I'm Ramsey Zimmerman. I choose peace of mind, vitality of body, and joy of spirit over stress, exhaustion, or overwhelm. Together, let's explore and pursue the many ways to build holistic health and wellness.
[00:00:31] Hey there, It's Ramsay here. Do you ever wake up and feel that tightness in the chest before you even open your eyes? A low grade hum of dread, A flood of thoughts spinning faster than your feet can hit the floor?
[00:00:43] Anxiety. It's like a background noise in modern life. Sometimes soft, sometimes screaming, but always there. And maybe the hardest part is this.
[00:00:53] We often don't know why, or we think we do, until it shifts again.
[00:00:58] So what is this thing we're all feeling? Why is it stronger now than ever before?
[00:01:03] And what can we actually do about it?
[00:01:08] Let's start with a working definition. Perhaps anxiety is your body and mind preparing for something uncertain. It's the tension of not knowing how things will turn out, but suspecting it might be bad.
[00:01:21] At a physical level, it's a stress response. Increased heart rate, shallow breath, clenched jaw, tightened muscles. At a mental level, it's worry scenarios, second guessing, self doubt. It's the energy of what if without the clarity of what is.
[00:01:39] And lately I've been thinking, if anxiety is the cost of uncertainty, then no wonder we're all paying a high price. Because this world is brimming with uncertainty.
[00:01:49] Twenty years ago, our world was still flawed, still complex, but it felt more stable, more navigable. There were rules, rhythms, even shared assumptions. Now the ground keeps shifting. Global pandemics, cultural divides, economic pressures, technology that changes faster than our brains can adapt. We're flooded with information and images, but starved for wisdom. So many voices shouting at once and so few spaces that feel safe to speak. Our understanding of the truth.
[00:02:21] I feel that way sometimes. I've always kind of felt like no one would be interested in what I thought about things. That if I spoke out, no one would listen or care. Or if I truly spoke from my heart, people would dismiss me or worse, reject me entirely. Now I just record podcasts a couple times a week and put it out there. So, you know, click play or don't. I imagine I'm not the only one who feels like that. I think many of us walk around quietly, terrified that our inner truth is too strange, too raw, too complicated to be accepted by others. So we hold back, we edit, we smile and nod, even when something feels off. And that internal self censorship, it builds pressure. That pressure becomes anxiety. But here's something that I've learned anxiety does not always mean something is wrong with you. Sometimes it means something is wrong around you. And that distinction can make a lot of difference. So what do we do? How do we avoid being swallowed up by anxiety? Or at least learn how to navigate through it when it shows up? Lets start with the body. Because anxiety often begins there in the nervous system before the mind ever catches up. When anxiety is high, your body is trying to protect you, so it mobilizes energy. That energy must go somewhere. If it has no outlet, it turns inward. So the most immediate thing you can do is move it outward. Try breathing deeply. Inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for four.
[00:03:46] Exhale for four counts. Hold again. Repeat. This is often called box breathing. This pattern can calm your vagus nerve and signal safety to your brain. Or eat something nourishing. Protein, fat, fiber, real food, blood sugar swings can mimic anxiety. A steady body builds a steady mind. Then move your body. Walk briskly. Stretch, shake your arms, Dance, lift something heavy. Movement burns off the stress chemicals coursing through you. And get outside.
[00:04:18] Nature reorients us. It grounds us. It gives our eyes and ears something real to connect to. Those are the physical tools. But let's also talk about mindset. Anxiety loves vagueness. So name what you're feeling, say it out loud, or write it down. I feel anxious because I don't know how that conversation will go. Or I feel anxious because I'm worried I will be misunderstood. Be specific. Give the monster under the bed a name. It usually gets smaller after that. Then ask, what part of this can I control and what part can't I? Sometimes all you can control is your posture, your breath, your next sentence. But that could do it. Really. You can also talk to someone.
[00:05:01] I know that sounds obvious, but I mean an actual human, face to face.
[00:05:06] Have a conversation. Not through your phone, not on social media. An actual conversation with an actual person who sees and hears you. If you do not have that person yet, pray for one or be one so someone else can find you. And if anxiety is chronic or consuming, seek professional help. That's not a sign of weakness or a failure. It's a wise response to a real problem. Get the help you need. Alright, back to the cultural moment we live in.
[00:05:33] There are a lot of messages out there trying to tell you what to believe, what to fear, what to chase. And if they don't resonate, if they feel false or hollow, but you don't feel free to speak up or question them, that dissonance becomes anxiety. Not because you are wrong, but because your inner compass is telling you something does not line up. And that's where peace of mind would begin.
[00:05:55] Not in knowing everything, but in knowing what rings true and being willing, when the time is right, to say it. You don't have to shout, you don't have to argue. But you can live in alignment. You can walk in truth, even quietly. And that calms anxiety more than any clever mantra ever could. So here's my invitation this week. Pay attention to your body. Listen to your breath. Notice the tension and be kind to it. Speak honestly, at least to yourself, and then to someone safe. Reduce the noise, increase the nourishment. And remember, anxiety does not make you broken. It just makes you human in a world that often forgets how to be. I'm grateful that you're here. I'm learning too. Still learning how to feel safe being myself. Still learning that not everyone will agree and that's okay. Still learning that the words I offer might not be perfect, but they can still be healing. And for today, that's enough.
[00:06:52] Looking for more? Visit whatsworthwild.net to listen to podcast episodes, learn from books and articles, and live better by choosing healthy products and practices. I'm now offering services through worthwhile advisors for personal coaching, professional advising, speaking, and group facilitation. If you or your team are ready to reduce stress and anxiety, build vitality and momentum, and accomplish your goals without burning out, then please contact me, Ramsey Zimmerman, through the website or on social media like Instagram X or LinkedIn. Thanks, Ra.
