133: Why These Popular Hacks Won't Heal Your Anxiety

Ever pushed yourself to eat clean and work out, hoping it would calm your anxiety, only to feel even worse? Here’s why it happens…In this episode, I dig into why gut health, exercise, and diets, while helpful, aren’t the cure for chronic anxiety. They can lower the intensity, but they don’t touch the root. The real work is creating safety in your nervous system and reconnecting with the younger version of you that still carries the alarm. I talk about the trap of chasing quick fixes, how hypervigilance keeps us stuck, and why small daily practices of safety can shift everything. By building that foundation, all the other healthy habits finally have a place to stick.You’ll Learn:The reason gut health alone won’t heal chronic anxietyWhat happens when diet and exercise are used as coping strategies instead of real healingThe surprising link between childhood hypervigilance and constant feelings of danger in adulthoodWhy quick-fix solutions like probiotics or gluten-free diets often fall shortThe damage of forcing yourself into rigid health routines without emotional regulationWhat it feels like to create “islands of safety” in your body for the first timeHow connecting with the younger version of yourself shifts the foundation of healingWhy safety is the real supplement for anxiety, not another pill or trendThe critical role of nervous system regulation before diet and exercise can truly helpTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:59] Why gut health alone won’t heal chronic anxiety[06:49] Building safety as the real foundation for healing anxiety[12:31] Why focusing only on gut health misses the deeper work of anxiety healing[17:10] Healing anxiety by creating safety and reconnecting with the inner child[20:47] Why safety and inner child connection must come before gut health and exercise in healing anxiety[23:49] Healing anxiety by reconnecting your adult and child self through safetyFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

What if burnout isn’t failure, but your body’s protective shutdown?In this episode, I open up about burning out as a doctor and why it went far beyond just being tired. Burnout showed up as a split between my mind pushing forward and the younger part of me saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” The mask of “Dr. Russell Kennedy” gave me income, status, and validation, but it also crushed my sense of self. I get into how burnout differs from stress and depression, and why rest only scratches the surface before it pulls you back under. Healing started when I finally listened to the alarm in my body, reconnected with the child in me, and practiced things like yoga nidra, breath work, and inner child work.You’ll Learn:The real reason burnout can feel more like a spiritual crisis than simple exhaustionHow early childhood experiences of not being heard can set you up for people-pleasing and burnoutThe surprising link between external validation and staying too long in a career that’s hurting youWhat it feels like when your mind drives your body far past its limitsWhy leaving a job can trigger shame and how to work through itThe quiet damage of tying your identity to your professionHow burnout differs from depression in symptoms and recoveryPractical ways to reconnect with the “younger version” of yourself to begin healingWhy burnout can be your body’s last attempt to get your attentionHow practices like yoga nidra, breathwork, and inner child work can help rebuild safety in your bodyTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[01:17] How chasing external validation led to burnout and identity loss[06:39] The cost of tying identity to caregiving and medicine[10:10] When identity and overwork lead to burnout and breaking points[14:25] The difference between depression and burnout as self-betrayal[16:22] How people pleasing and endless demands drive burnout[17:47] Healing burnout by reconnecting with the younger self and bodyFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

What if the very things that feel like they’re protecting you are actually keeping you stuck?In this episode, I break down the five unconscious strategies that block healing from anxiety. I call it MADDS: medication, addiction, distraction, dissociation, and suppression. Each of these starts as a survival tool, but over time they numb us, disconnect us from our bodies, and cut us off from the younger self that needs our attention. I get real about the role medication plays, why worry itself can become addictive, and how dissociation becomes a default setting for many of us. Most importantly, I show how awareness, acceptance, and compassion can start to break the cycle so we can finally move toward real healing instead of just coping.You’ll Learn:The five nervous system strategies that quietly block anxiety healingWhy medications can help in crisis, but often numb long-term emotional recoveryThe surprising link between worry and the brain’s dopamine reward systemHow addictions form as self-medication for the body’s stored alarmThe subtle ways distractions like social media pull you further from your bodyWhat it feels like to live in dissociation and why it’s so hard to stopHow suppression of emotion can lead to deeper anxiety and physical illnessThe role of awareness and acceptance in breaking the anxiety coping cycleA simple ABC method to reconnect with your younger self and release the need for coping strategiesTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:30] The role and limits of medication in healing anxiety[09:17] How addictions and worry become coping mechanisms for anxiety[13:00] How distraction masks anxiety and deepens disconnection[14:58] How dissociation protects us from pain but blocks healing[17:10] How suppression of emotions leads to disconnection and illness[19:11] How awareness and self-compassion break the cycle of anxiety coping strategiesFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

Why does manifestation backfire when you need it most?In this episode, I look at why affirmations and vision boards don’t land when your body is stuck in protection and alarm. That state makes it almost impossible to think positively, no matter how many times you repeat the words. The nervous system drives what you’re able to manifest, and when it’s wired for survival, positivity just slides off while negativity sticks. Real tools like hypno meditations, visualization, and the physiological sigh can shift the body out of alarm so the mind can believe what it’s saying. That’s when manifestation stops feeling fake and starts working.You’ll Learn:Why manifestation often failsThe tools I use to regulate my body first so that my mind and body can align and manifestation can take rootThe surprising link between childhood disconnection and difficulty creating positive changeHow the nervous system shapes what you notice, and why it can trap you in a negative echo chamberWhat it feels like to try affirmations that your body doesn’t believeWhy regulating your body first makes manifestation more powerful and sustainableHow your reticular activating system filters your reality based on what you expectThe quiet damage of bypassing discomfort with positive thinkingHow breath work, hypno meditations, and somatic tools can align your body and mind for changeWhat really happens when you manifest from connection instead of protectionTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:02] Living in self-protection blocks manifestation. Focus on connection instead.[05:32] Rewiring the unconscious mind with visualization and hypno meditations[08:17] The science behind the chronic alarm system and why it blocks manifestation and reinforces negativity[11:04] How to align your body and mind before working on manifestation[14:48] Using somatic practices and inner child work to make manifestation real[16:49] Healing anxiety by reconnecting with love and creating a positive echo chamberResources Mentioned:MBRX Program by Russell Kennedy | WebsiteAnxiety Rx by Russell Kennedy | Book or AudiobookFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

In this episode, I cover why chaos feels so familiar and why we keep getting pulled into it even when it makes us anxious.Today’s uncertainty from news, politics, money issues, AI, and climate change mirror the unpredictability many of us grew up with. That early wiring can make us attracted to chaos, even as it increases our alarm. The pull of distraction, overstimulation, and loneliness keep the body’s alarm system activated… but what helps? Reconnecting with the younger version of ourselves who didn’t feel safe, meeting their needs now, and finding ways to calm our alarm from the inside, no matter what’s happening in the world — this is a good place to start.You’ll Learn:Why uncertainty in world events can spike old childhood anxietyWhat happens when distraction and overstimulation become your nervous system’s default stateThe link between growing up in chaos and feeling drawn to global chaos todayWhy financial stress often triggers a survival-level alarm in people raised with scarcityHow AI and not knowing what’s real can recreate the same insecurity you felt as a childThe quiet damage of loneliness, even when you’re surrounded by peopleWhy accepting love and connection can be harder than you thinkHow climate change anxiety taps into early feelings of helplessness and griefThe specific practices that help you reparent the part of you that never felt safeWhy real relief comes from changing your inner world, not waiting for the outer world to calm downTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:00] Why uncertainty fuels anxiety by mirroring childhood chaos[07:36] How childhood scarcity shapes money anxiety and safety beliefs[09:41] How AI fatigue and overstimulation trigger old childhood fears[12:19] How healing loneliness through self-connection reduces anxiety[15:11] How climate grief and ancestral trauma mirror childhood powerlessness[18:43] How connecting with your inner child creates peace in a chaotic worldResources Mentioned:Anxiety Rx by Russell Kennedy | Book or AudiobookFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

In this episode, I unpack why your TikTok anxiety hacks might actually be keeping you stuck.I get into the good, the bad, and the harmful when it comes to viral mental health content, like anxiety dance trends, “cortisol cocktails,” and trauma confessionals set to sad songs. I talk about why these things can help in the short term, but also why they fall short if you’re serious about actually healing your anxiety. I explain how most of these trends miss the deeper point: your anxiety isn’t just in your head; it lives in your body. And if you’re only reaching for quick fixes, you’re probably just kicking the anxiety can down the road.You’ll Learn: The real reason TikTok anxiety hacks can keep you stuck in chronic symptomsWhat happens when emotional expression online turns into performative painThe quiet damage of reframing panic attacks as “just anxiety”Why movement and music help anxiety, but only up to a pointHow dance trends disrupt your freeze state and shift nervous system patternsThe surprising link between lemons, cold plunges, and present-moment awarenessWhy most viral “cortisol cocktails” are a placebo at bestWhat it feels like to rely on comfort instead of doing the deeper workHow misusing therapy language online confuses discomfort with pathologyA practical framework for evaluating mental health advice on social mediaTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:44] The TikTok anxiety song trend and its impact on mental health[04:48] The TikTok anxiety dance trend and its benefits and drawbacks[07:58] The "It’s just anxiety" TikTok trend and how it impacts coping and healing[10:44] DIY sensory hacks for anxiety[14:14] Therapeutic life hack trends and why comfort is not the same as healing[15:39] Misinformation and misuse of therapy language on TikTokResources Mentioned:MBRX Program by Russell Kennedy | WebsiteFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

What if someone can make you feel something, and the real problem is pretending they can’t?In this episode, I talk about a phrase I used to hear all the time: “Nobody can make you feel anything.” I break down why I no longer believe that’s true, and what actually happens in the brain and body when we’re triggered. I get into how emotional responses are often reflexive, how easily anxiety hijacks intense feelings, and why staying grounded in the body, not the mind, is what really gives us choice.You’ll Learn:The real reason “nobody can make you feel anything” doesn’t hold up to neuroscienceWhat happens in your brain when someone triggers a strong emotional reactionWhy fear responses can bypass your thinking mind entirelyHow anxiety often hijacks other emotions and turns them into alarmThe quiet damage of suppressing anger in childhoodWhat it feels like to lose your rational mind in a moment of overwhelmWhy grounding in your body is more effective than “just thinking differently”The difference between emotional reflexes and how you choose to respondWhat the physiological sigh does for nervous system regulationWhy emotional regulation takes practice and why that practice has to start before the trigger hitsTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[11:31] Why intense emotions often get mistaken for anxiety and feed the victim loop[14:26] How to break the fear habit by practicing emotional awareness and response[17:01] Why intense emotions shut down your rational brain and how to stay in control[20:37] How to stay grounded and choose your response when you're triggered [21:54] How to train your body to stay calm during emotional overwhelmFind more from Russell:Russell Kennedy | LinkedInRussell Kennedy | Facebook The Anxiety MD | WebsiteThe Anxiety MD | InstagramThe Anxiety MD | YouTube

Welcome back! In today’s episode of Anxiety Rx, we’re diving into the real root of social anxiety…and spoiler alert: it’s not just about being shy at parties. Social anxiety is often misunderstood as a surface-level fear of people, but it runs much deeper than that. It’s a fear of connection - especially with yourself. In this episode, I break down how social anxiety stems from a body-based alarm, not just overthinking or awkwardness. If you grew up feeling like love had strings attached or rejection was around every corner, your nervous system probably learned to associate connection with danger. I’ll walk you through why that happens, what’s really going on in your body, and how to gently start rewiring that alarm. We’ll talk about courage (not confidence), co-regulation, and why healing starts with reconnecting to the parts of yourself you’ve been avoiding. Because you can’t truly connect with others until you start feeling safe inside your own skin. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding Social Anxiety 07:16 The Role of Childhood Experiences 13:39 Connecting with Your Inner Child 18:50 Courage and Connection in Social Situations

Hello everyone! You’ve probably heard me talk about alarm - that raw, uncomfortable sensation in the body that actually drives anxiety. But in this episode, I break it down further into two distinct types: foreground alarm and background alarm. Foreground alarm is the big, loud stuff (like someone jumping out and scaring you, or feelings of unease before a big presentation). It’s sharp, intense, and impossible to ignore. Background alarm is quieter. It hums under the surface (like chronic tension, unease, a vague sense that something’s off, even when nothing obvious is happening.) These two types of alarm shape your experience with anxiety in very different ways, and in this episode, I’ll walk you through how they interact, why they often go unrecognized, and how they can make it feel like anxiety is coming out of nowhere. More importantly, I’ll share what to do about it. Not by trying to outthink it (you know how I feel about that), but by learning how to soothe the alarm in your body - through presence, breath, and connection. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by panic or trapped in chronic anxiety without knowing why, this episode will help you finally understand what’s really going on. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding Anxiety as Alarm 07:58 Foreground vs Background Alarm 15:39 Panic Attacks and Their Triggers 17:26 Understanding the Alarm in Your Body 17:55 Metabolizing Your Feelings 18:52 Healing Through Acceptance

Hello everyone! In this episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast, I talk about something we cannot heal anxiety without: faith. Not necessarily religious faith (unless that’s your thing) - I mean the kind of faith that says, I can handle what’s coming. I’ll figure it out. I’m not alone in this. But if you grew up in chaos, unpredictability, or even emotional disconnection, that faith (especially in yourself) might have never had a chance to grow. And when there’s no faith, there’s fear. Anxiety steps in to fill the gap, and your nervous system whispers, you’re not safe, and your mind scrambles to make sense of it with endless worry. In this episode, I walk you through how that loss of faith happens, how it wires itself into your body, and most importantly, how to begin building it back. Not through thinking, but through feeling. Through self-soothing, grounding, and connecting with the younger part of you that still needs to hear, you’re safe now. Because real healing—the kind that actually lasts—doesn’t come from managing symptoms. It comes from restoring faith, so you can feel safe in your body, and in your adult self’s ability to handle whatever comes your way. In your ability to stay present, even when life gets wobbly. If you’ve lost that inner knowing, this one’s for you. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Power of Belief and Faith in Healing Anxiety 02:41 Understanding the Alarm System in Our Bodies 05:06 The Cycle of Worry and Anxiety 07:25 The Role of Childhood Experiences in Anxiety 09:52 Faith as a Tool for Managing Uncertainty 12:13 Connecting with the Inner Child for Healing 14:52 The Importance of Trusting Love 16:47 Creating Safety Through Self-Love 19:31 Breaking the Cycle of Alarm and Anxiety 21:52 Embracing Uncertainty for Growth 23:47 The Journey to Healing Anxiety 26:27 Conclusion: Awareness, Self-Compassion and Faith as Keys to Healing