In this episode, your hosts Dr. Liz McIngvale and Cali Werner dive into the intense feelings of political anxiety that often surface during election times. They explore how political beliefs, personal experiences, and the divisive nature of politics impact mental health, especially when the political climate feels overwhelming. Through personal stories and professional insights, the episode offers practical strategies for managing anxiety without being consumed by the turmoil, focusing on setting boundaries, riding the wave of anxiety, and living in alignment with your values.

Key Points:

[0:01] - Intro to Political Anxiety

The hosts introduce the theme of political anxiety, discussing how election seasons can heighten stress levels for many Americans.

[2:07] - Developing Your Own Political Views

A personal story about navigating the process of forming individual political beliefs, different from family or friends, and the challenge of balancing relationships with diverse political perspectives.

[5:12] - The Role of Empathy in Political Conversations

Emphasizing the importance of empathy, the hosts discuss how shame and judgment hinder productive dialogue and suggest approaching conversations with the intent to learn rather than to convince.

[12:50] - Media and Political Characters

Frustration with the discrepancy between politicians' public personas and private behaviors, emphasizing the difficulty in knowing who to trust and how this contributes to anxiety.

[17:02] - Boundary Setting in Political Conversations

Practical advice on setting boundaries with friends or family who have opposing political views, to maintain relationships and mental health during heated times.

[21:50] - Coping with Political Outcomes

How to manage the aftermath of an election when the result isn't what you hoped for, focusing on staying grounded in daily life and not letting anxiety dictate your actions.

Quotable Moments:

[4:25] "When we get stuck in this, I better say this to appeal to these friends... I'm not speaking in my values-based way."

– Cali Werner

[13:00] "Sometimes I feel like, why can't we all just be who we are? It feels like an act, and that makes me anxious and pissed."

– Dr. Liz McIngvale

[30:07] "Political anxiety is no different than other anxiety. You either contribute to it and make it bigger, or you can change it by the way you behave."

– Dr. Liz McIngvale

Links Mentioned:

Anxiety Society Podcast: http://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com

Instagram: @theanxietysocietypod : https://www.instagram.com/theanxietysocietypod

As election season ramps up, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by political anxiety, but you don't have to let it control your life. By setting healthy boundaries, focusing on your values, and practicing self-care, you can manage the anxiety that comes with the season. Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to navigate through it. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who might need it, and don't forget to rate and review!

Mentioned in this episode:

World Class Treatment For A Worldwide Need

The OCD Institute of Texas provides compassionate individualized treatment for anxiety, OCD and related disorders with a diverse team of dedicated specialists.

Join Dr. Elizabeth Mcignvale and Cali Werner as they return after a two-week hiatus caused by Hurricane Beryl. In this episode, we dive into a Q&A session centered around the impact of the hurricane on our lives, our mental health, and the anxiety lingering in its aftermath. From dealing with heat exhaustion to managing work and personal stress, we share our personal stories and professional insights to help you navigate these challenging times. Tune in for real, raw, and unfiltered discussions about living with anxiety and finding ways to overcome it.

Key Points:

[0:06] - Introduction: Welcome to The Anxiety Society Podcast and our mission.

[1:20] - Hurricane Impact: How Hurricane Beryl affected Houston and our personal lives.

[2:01] - Lingering Anxiety: Coping with anxiety and exhaustion post-hurricane.

[4:11] - Survival Struggles: The challenge of securing basic necessities during the storm.

[5:06] - Healthcare Heroes: A shout out to the dedication of healthcare workers.

[7:10] - Cali’s Anxious Moment: Sleeping with dogs during a power outage.

[8:00] - Elizabeth’s Anxious Moment: Black eye, COVID, and an ear infection.

[17:40] - Listener Q&A: Causes of anxiety disorders and when to seek help.

[19:59] - Workplace Anxiety: Managing anxiety at work and the importance of education.

[22:07] - Reducing Anxiety: Strategies for reducing anxiety and building distress tolerance.

[26:05] - Social Anxiety Tips: Staying present during dates and social interactions.

[28:32] - Self-Care Essentials: The role of self-care in managing anxiety and setting boundaries.

Quotable Moments:

[1:20] "The anxiety is lingering, so we'll talk about that." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

[8:00] "This is reality, and I can't really change it." - Cali Werner

[17:17] "Anxiety can be there, but there also can be actionable steps that need to happen." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

Links Mentioned:

• Anxiety Society Podcast: http://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com
• Instagram: @theanxietysocietypod : https://www.instagram.com/theanxietysocietypod

Thank you for joining us today on The Anxiety Society Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us improve and reach others who might benefit from hearing our message. Remember, together we can change how we live with anxiety.

Mentioned in this episode:

World Class Treatment For A Worldwide Need

The OCD Institute of Texas provides compassionate individualized treatment for anxiety, OCD and related disorders with a diverse team of dedicated specialists.

In this episode of The Anxiety Society podcast, Cali Werner is joined by Dr. Lennie Waite, PhD, OLY, an Olympic steeplechaser and sports psychologist, to explore the phenomenon of post-Olympic blues. The discussion delves into how the high of major achievements, like competing in the Olympics, can lead to emotional dips and anxiety afterward. They also discuss how this issue extends beyond athletes, affecting anyone who experiences a significant build-up to a major life event. Tune in for valuable insights on managing the emotional aftermath of success and learning how to build a balanced, fulfilling life post-accomplishment.

Key Points:

[2:02] – Meet Dr. Lennie: Olympian & Sports Psychologist

Dr. Lennie Waite, incredible career includes competing in the Rio Olympics, sports psychology work with athletes, and her role as a professor and mom.

[4:42] – The Rise of Achievement Anxiety

Dr. Lennie Waite, explains how athletes today not only train physically but also juggle brand-building and social media, contributing to heightened anxiety.

[9:35] – Defining Post-Olympic Blues

Post-Olympic blues refer to the emotional letdown athletes often feel after the thrill of competition fades, leaving a void after months or years of preparation.

[13:00] – Parallels in Everyday Life

Post-event dips aren’t exclusive to athletes. Anyone preparing for significant life events—like a big exam, a wedding, or career achievement—can feel similarly.

[15:40] – The Double-Edged Sword of Achievement

Highlighting how striving for success can be both motivating and draining, emphasizing the importance of balance and having a well-rounded identity.

[34:51] – Preparing for the Crash

Practical strategies for managing the emotional fallout after a big achievement include building a well-rounded identity, mindfulness, and behavior change.

Quotable Moments:

[9:35] "Post-Olympic blues are the letdown of excitement, feeling important, and having the world's attention on you—then waking up one day, and it's gone." – Dr. Lennie Waite, PhD, OLY

[15:03] "Achievement striving is a double-edged sword. It drives you, but at some point, you have nothing left to give, and it just plummets." – Dr. Lennie Waite, PhD, OLY

[35:00] "A huge part of managing post-achievement dips is having a well-rounded identity, so you’re not defined by just one accomplishment." – Cali Werner

Links Mentioned:

• AnxietySocietyPodcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com
• Instagram: @TheAnxietySocietyPod: https://www.instagram.com/TheAnxietySocietyPod

Post-achievement anxiety can impact anyone, from Olympians to everyday people. By building a well-rounded identity and preparing for emotional dips, you can manage the aftermath of major life events more effectively. For more insights into anxiety, subscribe to The Anxiety Society and explore our resources on social media. Together, we can change how we deal with anxiety and build healthier, more balanced lives.

Mentioned in this episode:

World Class Treatment For A Worldwide Need

The OCD Institute of Texas provides compassionate individualized treatment for anxiety, OCD and related disorders with a diverse team of dedicated specialists.