Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
By Judson Brewer
Avery, 2021. 287 pgs. Nonfiction
We don't often think of anxiety as a Habit, but that is what Judson Brewer has spent his life researching. This book looks at how most of the addictive habits we have can actually be traced back to trying to avoid feeling anxiety. He teaches the importance of becoming mindful of the habit loops we have formed and gives simple things we can do to break those habit loops.
I learned a lot from this book. I agree with the author that it is important to make sure we don't replace one bad habit with another. We need to figure out why we are doing the things we are and then try to find a way to meet the real need. My biggest take away was to get curious about how my body and emotions are reacting to life. Once we are willing to get curious, we are better able to understand ourselves and use mindfulness to feel less anxious. There are lots of practical tips to create small, manageable, consistent changes in our lives.
If you like Unwinding Anxiety, you may also like:
Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
Avery, 2018. 306 pgs. Nonfiction
One of the world’s leading experts on habit formation reveals practical strategies that will teach readers exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
Finish: Giving Yourself the Gift of Done
By Jon Acuff
Portfolio/Penguin, 2017. 196 pgs. Nonfiction
The biggest problem when trying to accomplish a goal is not laziness, it is actually perfectionism. Sometimes we won't even write down a goal because we already doubt our ability to finish it. As soon as we mess up on a goal, the majority of us will quit. Acuff claims there are some simple things we can do to overcome perfectionism and finish our goals like cut the goal in half, choose something to bomb, make it fun, and don't distract yourself with noble obstacles.
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