Practicing Courage #13: A simple way to break free from worry

Do you ever have times where the mind won’t stop thinking about what’s next?

Things you need to do, actions to take etc? 

This is such a common experience, and while quite useful at times,

At other times this cycle isn't helpful (for a variety of reasons):

• Maybe you can’t take action at the moment
• Or you have double-checked or thought through the plan many times already
• Or maybe you need a bit more time or space to really think through what is needed

The list goes on...

What’s been interesting (in my own experience) is that I find the mind will often continue to plan, and to identify actions even in moments where it’s not so helpful (particularly when worry is present). 

And what I have been really curious about recently is:

1.  How can we break this cycle when it’s not helpful?
2. How can we get better at both discerning, and then taking wise action?

Over the past month I have been exploring these questions (and others) in a new stress and anxiety series on the Courageous Life where we are bringing together experts in these arenas to engage in conversations that are both inspiring and practical - offering up insights, tools, and resources for navigating stress and anxiety more effectively in our lives. 

In today's episode:

I will share a really helpful practice from the second episode in that series - a conversation with Oxford professor Mark Williams and Dr. Danny Penman two of the world’s leading experts on mindfulness and stress.

There are 5-words that surprisingly can help foster more wise action in your life by breaking the cycle of worry and unnecessary planning in moments when it's no longer useful.


Curious to explore today's topic further? Here are some conversations from the podcast we think you'll love:

• Rediscovering Calm in a Chaotic World | Dr. Mark Williams and Dr. Danny Penman
• Unwinding Anxiety | Dr. Jud Brewer

5 Days to Transforming Stress Challenge

As a complement to the Stress and Anxiety Series on The Courageous Life Podcast we’ve created a 5 day experiential challenge to help you transform your stress and find greater calm, balance, and wellbeing.

In an effort to create a delightful and seamless on-demand practice experience we created The Practice Pass, an annual membership that gives you access to all of this dynamic original content including both live and on-demand learning experiences.

If you sign up up for the Practice Pass you’ll receive:

•  The Practicing Courage Challenge
• The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge

3 NEW live challenges each year. Future topics may include: finding purpose, building new habits, courageous conversations, authentic living, navigating transitions, letting go, and finding ease in challenging times.

Learn more and register for the pass here: https://www.practicingcourage.com/signup-practice-pass

Til next Tuesday,

-Joshua

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