2025 ~ Anxiety Road Podcast

ARP 390 A Look at the Opera Air Browser

Mindfulness, Relaxation, Stress, Technology

Well, I have a new to me and probably to you do-dad to help with anxiety symptoms. It is the Opera Air Mindfulness browser. In addition to the standard browsing features it has tools to help you breath and relax, guided meditations and a musical audio mode that can help you focus. Is this a good or bad thing?

The TLDR: Some of the tech bros say it is a gimmick and who in their right mind would use it? In my bad times, I would have glommed on to it because I was looking for help. Lots of people are looking for mental health support and aren't too picky where they find it. (we should be but when a person is in pain they are going to do what they think they need to do.)

I like many of the features but there is a cost. Free ain't free especially online.

Opera Air, like many other browsers is ad supported or allow third party extensions to be used in the browser. Many browser allow ads and cookie tracking to be passed onto those third party data collectors.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can hide your location and computer. You generally need to tell it what you want. A free VPN can be problematic. Who is operating it, where is the data passing through and what if it is down and you don't know it? Or it is blocking you from seeing certain web sites?

The security features require users to turn them on. If you don't, oopsie? Also, if you use those third party vendors extensions, you are subject to their terms of service which might include things you in no way agree to.

Again, I am not bashing the browser. I like the reminders about getting up and moving or taking a breathing breaks. But I do want folks to know what the benefits to you is versus the cost of your data and personal information.

That will be up to you to decide.

Resources Mentioned:

If you would like to see how Opera Air works, Brett in Tech has an overview video of the features of the software.

Before you download, I would suggest reading the Opera Help Page and read the FAQs so that you understand what you gain and give up when you use the browser.

If you are interested in giving it a try the address is https://www.opera.com/air

Emergency Resources

The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 389 What Is Situational Anxiety?

Anxiety, Resource, Support, Worry

If your are an adult human being, you have experienced situational anxiety. It is when you know that this specific thing is making you upset or anxious. It could be about money, your job, the lack of prospects of getting a job. Housing insecurity. Your car breaks down and you do not have cash or credit for the repair bill.

In this episode, a look at situational anxiety.

Resources Mentioned:

To learn more about situational anxiety you can take a look at the page on VeryWell Mind. They do tend to go long with their description on the condition, symptoms and treatment options. VeryWell Mind is a commercial site. It is advertiser supported. If possible, I would suggest that you use a browser like Duck Duck Go in fire mode or Vivaldi in anonymous mode.

Dennis the Anxiety Guy has a video from six years ago about handling situational anxiety.

Dr. Andrea Dinardo, Ph.D has an extract from a longer video on the experience.

The University of Michigan on five red flags you are dealing with situational depression.

Emergency Resources:

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

Mental Health Resources for Parents of Anxious Children

Anxiety, Education, Treatment

I primarily talk about adult resources for anxiety conditions. That is a hard enough nut to crack. But parents of anxious children need help too.

The American Academy of Pediatrics doctors treat children and teens. They have a page on their website that has information PDFs about anxiety treatment and mental health issues in English and Spanish.

Some of the topics include managing depression or sadness, managing inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, and activities to help your child or adolescent manage anxiety.

The PDFs also list other resources that provide information about child mental health.

Then there is the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). The have multiple guides on childhood mental health conditions.

The AACAP has a 17 page Anxiety Parents Medication Guide on what are the anxiety disorders, medication and psychosocial treatments for anxiety.

Emergency Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

ARP 388 - No Joke About Dental Anxiety

Dental, Fear, Treatment

There is a video about a dentist joking about giving less medication to people not of her political persuasion. To her audience, I guess they found it funny.

There is a larger story than the dentist and the joke. I waited. I hoped someone would bring a non-political reason what the joke was bad, very bad and unprofessional.

For the record, there are million of us that have some form of dental anxiety or dental phobia.

We need the skills of a professional, qualified and compassionate dentist.

We are scared out of our skulls because we don't know what a few bad teeth yankers of the profession will do to us. Or we clearly remember what a few of them have done to us.

In this episode, a brief definition of dental anxiety and phobia and resources for you to empower yourself.

Resources Mentioned:

There is a website associated with the American Dental Association website called Mouth Healthy. It offer three tips on dealing with dental anxiety.

Cleveland Clinic page on what is dental phobia, the symptoms, causes and treatment options.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22594-dentophobia-fear-of-dentists

The University of Pennsylvania Dental Medicine has a page on how to get over dental anxiety

For those of you in the United Kingdom, the Dental Fear Central page has some good information and suggestions on dealing with dental anxiety.

Emergency Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

ARP 387 What is Fear?

Brain, Causes, Fear

This is a quick definition of fear, why it is an important emotion and two informational resources to help you learn more about. Fear is an emotional response to real or imaginary danger.

Your body enters into protection mode. It is not, as some would describe it, a weakness or lack of backbone. You are in trouble and your body is helping you do deal with it.

When you understand what fear this can help you find the tools and skills needed to make healthy adjustments to your natural defense system. Those tools can be food or nutrition, therapy, exercise, education or other things you might not be aware of.

Resources Mentioned:

For the TLDR folks, on the Psychology Today blog there is a page on the basics of fear. it talks about what it is, some of the causes and its relationship to phobias and social anxiety.

The website Simple Psychology has an explainer page on The Psychology of Fear: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment

Emergency Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

Pebble in the Road - Busting Stigmas

Addiction, Culture, Resilience, Support

Despite the torrent of bad news being funneled to us, there are positive stories that don't get amplified.
This is one of those type of stories. I kinda stumbled into it and I'm glad I did.

This was a story on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers website.

Jay Fraiser runs the Boston Local 103 recovery and sobriety group. He meets with fellow union members to help them stabilize on their recovery journey.

I don't know anything about being an electrician. I do know about being knocked to the floor due to anxiety symptoms. It was a long time ago but it did put me on my road to treatment. I don't recommend experiencing it but it is a wake up call to do something to help yourself.

I encourage you to read the story.

IBEW News - How One Boston Member Is Breaking Down Mental Health Stigma

Emergency Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

ARP 386 Evaluating Anxiety Herbal Supplements

Botanical, Herbal, Supplements

I've done episodes about dietary supplements. I didn't take into account the ones sold at the gas station or corner store. People with an anxiety condition or disorder should be very careful about promises of herbal supplements treatment.

I don't want to be elitist here. There is bad stuff in U.S. pharmacies that do not work, known not to be effective or dangerous and yet still on sale. I have examples from Ethan Melillo. PharmD and Grant Harding, PharmD.

It is one thing to buy Slim-Jims from the gas station. I've bought water, two cans for three dollars then I get to the counter where the person looks at me like I'm less than dirt as he rings me up. Then I remember not to go back into that store for the next eight months or so.

I would never, ever purchase an herbal supplement from the gas station store, a convenience store or the 99 Cents or 150 Cents Store-ish variations.

You might decide otherwise. If you do want to risk it, pack a magnifying glass because you have to read the label. What is the dosage? It might not be the full bottle.

And most important, have the contents been verified by an independent industry respected testing organization?

We need to be careful out in the wild. Just my two cents. This is my opinion which ain't worth a bucket of salt. Which does not stop me from this episode on how to evaluate herbal health supplements.

Resources Mentioned:

Operation Supplement Safety is intended for folks in the military that have restrictions on the kind of supplements they can use. However there is a non-military consumer version of the OSS Postcard that is a PDF download that gives guidelines on how to evaluate a supplement.

U.S. National Institutes of Health

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know updated January 2023.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health page called Herbs at a Glance and Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA page on Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements, updated 2022.

FDA page on Health Fraud Products Database. You can search by name, vendor, website or a specific action taken by the FDA.

Emergency Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

ARP 385 - What Is Fright?

Anxiety, Fear

Living in a place with non-human beings can give you an appreciation of the unexpected. I've had encounters with possums, coyotes and skunks. Main skill is be aware of your surroundings, back up and give them a path to exit.

Haven't had a bear encounter yet. Do not want one either. Part of the inspiration of this episode is an old video of a man leaving his home, preoccupied on getting to work only to discover a big ole bear in his driveway.

This can cause most people a wee bit of fright. That is the topic of this pebble in the anxiety road.

Resources Mentioned:

On the Psychology Today blog is a post called Is Anxiety Psychological or Physical?

The National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) has a post from 2021 on Anxiety And Fear: What’s The Difference? There is an explanation of what is fear and anxiety, the symptoms and some ideas on how to process those experiences.

Emergency Hotline Resources

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 hotline and users can text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer:

ARP 384 Changes to 988 Suicide Hotline

Alternative, Awareness, Suicide

I had a flashback. What generated it was that I watched a video of a congress person telling his constituents that only the truly deserving should have access to free health care. Those that work are worthy. That is my understanding of what he said. I could be wrong.

The example he gave was that a 28 year old person who refused to work. Once upon a time, I was truly ill. I had no savings. I owed bills. I couldn't work. The congress person would have deemed me unworthy.

Just like the Department of Health and Human Services did with the removal of LGBTQ+ access to the 988 suicide hotline. In this episode, what has happened and alternative hotline options.

P.S. to the hot fingered. This is a mental health issue.

Resources Mentioned:

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of 988 and users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. There are also text/chat services available to folks in Canada, the UK and Ireland.

Disclaimer:

ARP 383 - Dealing with Intrusive Thoughts

Awareness, Mindfulness, Worry

I can talk about intrusive thoughts. Doesn't mean I don't still have them. Because I do. Here is the thing. Not only is the intrusive thought false but it is repetitive.

There are things and practices you can do to reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts. In this episode, a recent experience of an intrusive thought and three ideas on how to handle the little haters.

I messed up the name of the song so I had to take it out. You can find it on YouTube. There is an official CartoonNetwork page. I don't know how long it will last. A lot of cable channels properties are going to be sold or terminated.

So much is changing.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The non-profit Helpguide.org has a full page on Intrusive Thoughts and how to handle them. One of their suggestions is adjust the perceptions of your thoughts and let them be.

From the cartoon Steven Universe, the best musical example of what to do with an intrusive thought. 20+ million folks and counting. Here Comes a Thought. You can find the song on YouTube.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a page on Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts. One of the suggestions is to continue what you were doing before the thought.

Disclaimer:

ARP 382 What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Awareness, Education, Resource

Trying to get back into the flow. I still don't have a desk or recording equipment. My phone will have to do the job. This is a quick pebble in the road on what is a mental health disorder.

Mental health disorders can affect a person's mood, feelings or become intrusive thoughts.

Most of us have experienced high stress periods or feeling like it's too much or way too much, or you really can't stand it anymore.

For those of us with continuous anxiety symptoms, it leans more toward being a disorder.

Or a condition.

Now, it's really important that you don't self-diagnose. You really should have a thorough workup by your doctor because there are so many physical health problems that have the exact same symptoms as an anxiety symptoms.

I just want you to have a better understanding of what those terms mean.

Bottom line, you have anxiety, you have anxiety symptoms, and they seem to be going on for a long time. It could be a condition. It could be a disorder.

Or it could just be something that you're dealing with and you're learning how to handle.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The World Health Organization has an information page on mental disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association has page on What is Mental Illness?. The site uses condition and disorder.

Disclaimer:

ARP 381 - Smiling Mind App for Meditation and Mental Fitness

Apps, Meditation, Mindfulness, Technology

After a few minutes of an life update, I talk about the Smiling Minds app, a free resource designed to help practice meditation and also helps to build mental fitness.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The Simply Noise app can help you with finding the right sound for your needs, that could be a frequency noise or a sound of nature. Windows users can go to the download section of the website and select the items that will give them an audio balm.

Smiling Mind app provides mindfulness and breathing resources but has evolved into a mental health support and fitness app. There are 700+ mindfulness items that you can use. There is also a mood tracker and other resources.

You can find the app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

On the main website you can find an explainer page on how to use the app and some of the features.

One of those features is closed captioning.

Disclaimer:

Pebble in the Road - Journaling Memory 2002

Grit, Grounding, Resources

A brief update. I'm still going through chaos. I'm having to throw away a lot of things and re-organize my life.

This is a brief pebble in the road on a memory that I wrote down in 2002. It was a bad time.

There are ups and downs with having an anxiety condition. I was scraping cement at that time.

I'm grateful that is this a memory. I'm going to shred this page but I've memorialized it so there is no loss.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

ARP 380 When Panic Hits Home

Grounding, Panic, Resources

In this episode, I talk about my process on handing a problem and four resources that might be helpful to those with panic attacks and panic disorder.

Some of the resources are informative but dry.

Other offerings are written in a more conversational form, accessible but might not explain a concept or two.

I get a little more personal than I like but I wanted to share with you my panic response to some bad news.

There are a lot of changes that I'm experiencing at the moment.

Those changes need attention. I'll do the best I can but it is going to be a challenge to deal with it, work and get out an episode.

I'll do the best I can.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

NAMI is the National Association of Mental Health narrative from Yasmina Rebani-Lee that does a good job of explaining her experience and her process of working through it. It is called Unpacking my Panic Attack.

The Mayo Clinic has a page on Panic Attacks and Disorders.

The World Health Organization PDF on Panic Disorders

2022 brochure Panic Attacks, When Fear Overwhelms from the U.S. Department of Mental Health

Disclaimer:

ARP 379 Drinking Water Temperature

Awareness, Education, Nutrition

The three main point I want to make are drink water, build and refine your information gathering process and for goodness sake, find ways to have fun, relax or grab a giggle.

That last suggestion is not in the show but bears repeating. Don't let them steal your joy.

In this episode, a response to two commercials about drinking water temperature and word or two about how to find viable, authoritative resources. This could help you confirm if the information is factual.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Water/Dehydration Sources

Mind.org.UK has a post on food and mental health. It is a good starting point on the things you need to consider when you are trying to take care of your body and brain.

Cleveland Clinic has a dietician respond on Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Hot Water?

The Mayo Clinic has their point of view on How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day?

Some Examples of Viable Health Resources:

American Medical Association has a YouTube channel. The AMA provides information to doctors and the general public. The information will be science based through their perspective as medical doctors.

The Dana Foundation has a section on their website where they talk about brain information. They have videos and fact sheets for children and adults.

KFF Health News reports on news stories with a health focus, U.S. government policies and interviews with those involved in this space. The site operates independently from the non-profit Kaiser Health System.

There are also the mental health non-profits like Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Helpguide.org, International OCD Foundation and similar groups.

Disclaimer:

ADAA Webinar on Psychiatric Medication in Pregnancy and Lactation

Awareness, Education, Medication

I get a lot of stuff via email that I can't share in the podcast. It just occurred to me that I could post items that will have eventual homes on YouTube or on the Anxiety and Depression Association (ADAA) website.

Per the press release,

In honor of May and Maternal Mental Health Week, ADAA is delighted to present the free, live public webinar "Psychiatric Medication in Pregnancy and Lactation: What Can Women Take?" with Barbara Byers, MD, MPH.

Dr. Byers reviews what we know about the treatment of psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and lactation from a medication standpoint. We will review our knowledge of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and stimulants.

The date of the free webinar is Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 12:00PM ET and 9:00am PT. Sometimes the webinars are ported over to the ADAA YouTube channel.

Just a head's up. Sometimes the webinars are directed to a professional audience. Peer to Peer type communication. Other times, it is more of a general audience type of presentation.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

News Anxiety Resources - AllSides.com

Anxiety, Infodemic, News

Another option for those of us with the information jitters is AllSides.com. It looks at how a news story is covered via a bias lens of left, center and right from the reporting institution.

The site also has a misinformation page that looks at how a specific story as been distorted or looks at a specific claim of a politician or corporation are being promoted in the public.

Here is an explainer video created by AllSides.com

AllSides.com is a public benefit company. This means that it operated as a corporation but the focus is on serving the public good as the primary focus of the company.

There are still shareholders but the focus is to be of service AND then make a profit.

This is different from a non-profit corporation.

Allsides.com could sell cars, candy or anything else (they don't as far as I know). They don't get any special benefits and they have to follow standard corporation reporting.

A non-profit corporation must be aligned to their stated mission.

Anyway, consider this site an option.

You can use it to know what bias or filter the story is being reported. Or that help you understand what the other side is seeing in terms of coverage of a particular story.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

ARP 378 Gatophobia or Fear of Cats

Phobia, Resources, Treatment

We all have that thing that gets under our skin. The thing we can't stand and won't abide in any form. That at best is an irritation. But for some of us, it can be a problem if it impacts the quality of life.

Those four-legged poof balls called cats can be a problem for people with a phobia about cats. In this episode, what it is, the symptoms and treatment resources.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The Cleveland Clinic has a page on ailurophobia, another name for the fear of cats.

If you want to go learn about the condition, there is a HelpGuide.org page on Phobias and Irrational Fears.

Psychology Today has a directory of mental health providers. You can search by city or zip code.

Disclaimer:

News and Anxiety Resources - Courthouse News Service

Anxiety, Infodemic, News

There are gems in the muck of 2025 journalism access. Courthouse News Service is one of them.

Courthouse News reports stories in plain English. It leans toward factual, non-interpretive reporting.

This is a commercial subscription service that provides court information to law firms, businesses and journalists. However, the site has a free to access public website that contains the doings in federal and state courts.

Front Page of Courthouse News Service

And if you need more that politics to fill up your news fix, there is also other areas of interest. To get the full range, you got to click on the hamburger thingy on the left side of the website.

Partial list of topics that the service covers.

Minor Con: there is opinion on the site. The editors do have opinions.

They do express those opinions in the Op Ed pages.

Sometimes forcefully. Many times with a touch of humor. More like a subtle smile.

Unless you don't agree them and then it is a grimace.

If you want straight news, stick with that side of the site.

I'm balancing this as a minor con because visitors have full access to the news stories without nag screens or ads. This is very rare and I don't know how long it will last.

One more thing. There is the Walt Girdner photo of the day. Many of the photos are lovely and take the stink out of 2025. The photo is usually toward the bottom of the main page of the site.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources:

There is an app available via Google Play or the Apple App Store. It appears that the app is free to use on phone and tablets.

I tried it out on my phone. There doesn't seem to be ads or nag screens. It is easy to navigate and read the news stories.

I'm not endorsing or promoting the service. But I do use it when I need an understanding of what is happening with the conversations between the judicial and executive branches of government.

Disclaimer:

News and Anxiety Resources - DW News

Anxiety, Infodemic, News

There are international broadcast news networks that have English language reporting. DW News is a German broadcaster that reports on what is going on in the world.

This includes the United States national news that would be of interest to a global audience.

DW News is owned by the German government. Think of it like their version of PBS but with a hell of a lot more financial support and independent from constant threats of being shut down.

Pros:

Exposure to international and Germen specific news. There is a lot of content but it will be different than the current crap we are getting here in the United States.

Global view of events and a different perspective of what is going on in the United States and the world.

The network is paying attention to disinformation and how to deal with it. There is a portion of the website that called DW Academie where they talk about the global problems of mal-information and disinformation.

Scroll down the whole page, there is some very good stuff here. Probably should check out the DW Academie YouTube channel.

Cons:

There could be cultural difference that could lead to misunderstanding what is happening in a particular American news story.

DW News is going to report from their point of view. There are going to be biases. We all have them. U.S. folks might be disturbed about how we as a country and as people are perceived overseas.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but at the moment our roses smell like poo-poo.

Lots of ways to access their content.

English language version of the website is https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097
DW has a 24-hour live news feed on their website.
There is also an English audio version that gives the daily briefing of what is happening in Germany and the world.
DW News YouTube Channel.

For those that have an interest, there is a section of the website that will help you to learn German or refresh your ancient high school skills. In case you are planning a vacation trip or thinking about, oh I don't know, relocation?

Hey, it is just a thought.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer:

ARP 377 - Stress Management Tips

Resource, Stress, Symptoms

There are forces that have us in a state of stress and unbalance. It is intentional. Our stress levels are way too high. In this episode, I'm talking specifically about stress but those of us with anxiety still need to pay attention.

We still have the ability to decide how we want to go forward. You might need a personal support system to help you deal with the days, months or however ever long we survive this moment in time.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

Stress definition and tips to handling it from the World Health Organization. The American Psychological Association has a dictionary style definition from their point of view.

The non-profit American Institute of Stress also provides information about stress. There is a stress questionnaire that could help you figure out your stress level and provide information on handling it. There is a fee for accessing the questionnaire and guide.

Mindful.org has A 4-Minute Practice to Clarify What’s Important Right Now.

If you would like help in getting started with a mindful practice the free app Healthy Minds provides lessons and practice session to help you learn how to do it. https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app

The American Heart Association has an infographic that you can download to help you remember some of the techniques of stress relief and management.

Disclaimer:

News Anxiety Resources - APNews.com

Anxiety, Infodemic, News

Those of us of an anxiety nature need to feel safe. Avoiding news is a thing and many have embraced Ostrich power.

However, as I have learned from recent real life experience, that can be quite dangerous. I'm not being dramatic here.

I turned off all news notifications from my phone and reduced my social media consumption. I certainly felt better.

But fire doesn't care. Earthquakes don't care. Floods are proactively destructive. Then there is that whole social upheaval and change in government thing. Just makes a person gassy.

Logo of the Associated Press

So we can be anxious but not willfully stupid. And with the daily infodemic flow of content, we need to have a strategy on learning what we need to know and filter out the gunk.

Find a way to stay informed but mentally healthy. One way to do that is to find viable resources.

Hard to do in the United States of America. We are being bombarded with fake news, twisted news and things that are not even remotely news in profiteers clothing.

The ability of using AI to map another persons un-consenting voice to an AI generated body is spooky.

The other day, I viewed a video about how good AI avatars are getting. You can still spot the goofy but it is harder to do.

So what can we do?

Plenty. One option is to visit known trusted as possible resources.

The Associated Press (AP) is a non-profit organization that gathers and reports on the news. They have their own reporters, camera crews and staff.

The AP also has customers and cooperative agreements to provide their content to broadcast news and media outlets. AP goes out and gets the news.

It then distributes those stories to a feed that print and broadcast media use in the their news stories.

If you want to access AP content as a consumer, then you will need to visit APNews.com

What You Can Find on APNews.com

For the most part, APNews, doesn't embellish or add spin reported stories. They talk to everyone liberal, center and conservative.

You might not like the news story, but you will receive factual information known at the time.

Example of the cover page with menu options and the current story of the day.

Pros and Cons

Pro:

It is free to access apnews.com and ready any story.

Exposure to international, regional an and sometimes local news. There is a lot of content.

Now more than ever, U.S. folks need to understand how we are impacting other countries. AP News gives you that opportunity.

Con:

It is a legit non-profit. You will be asked for a donation. Not once but each time you visit a new page. You can sign up for a one-time donation or become donor to remove the nag window.

There is an APNews app that you can download. Bad news is that doesn't seem to have good ratings for functionality. You can access the web version on your phone or tablet.

More bad news, I found that on phones and tablets devices there is more of a mixture of ads and news content. That is a problem. You have to look hard to make sure you are clicking on a viable news story.

APNews is not perfect. No person, business or corporation is. But it leans more fact based that most of the print and broadcast media outlets.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The public version to find news stories is APNews.com.

Disclaimer:

News Anxiety Resource - Reuters Fact Check

Anxiety, Infodemic, News

Some times a person can be their worst enemy. Or their systems and internal little haters can keep a person from doing something different. It takes a lot of effort to move away from severe self induced harm.

What I am trying to do is not perfect. I'm not a designer or social media creator or artist. Trying real hard not to use AI.

But I do have ideas that can be shared. This is one of them.

The text version:

If you are dealing with news anxiety or infodemic levels of queasiness the Reuters Fact Check page might help you get the straight scoop.

Reuters is a business-to-business news service that sells primary reporting to media outlets like newspapers, broadcast TV and publications.

I want to direct you to the fact checking page that focuses on visual or social media questionable stories.

The site has about three or four stories a day that are researched and evaluated. The team will look for where the story started or try to confirm or deny the statement made in the social media item.

Reuters is a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

That means that as a fact checker, they promise to uphold certain journalism standards.

So if you need to double check a social media post, meme or video this could be a good place to start.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

The fact checking page can be found on the Reuter’s website. https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/

The International Fact-Checking Network is a project of the Poynter organization, with multiple participants.

Disclaimer:

ARP 376 Quick Look at Book How to Be Yourself

Book, Resource, Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is not about being shy or people not wanting to be social. People with social anxiety beats up on themselves before others get a chance to do it.

It is a condition where an excessive amount of fear is generated by the anticipation of rejection.

Either way, it can be harmful to the spirit. In this episode, a quick look at the book How to Be Your Self by Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

If you need information about Social Anxiety Disorder, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a free PDF on the condition and suggestions on treatment options.

The Insight Timer app has a course by Dr. Hendriksen called Rising Above Social Anxiety.

The Yale Medicine website has an explainer page on Social Anxiety.

Bookshop.org is a way to support independent bookstores. You purchase the book online via the website and an independent store will benefit from the purchase.

Disclaimer:

ARP 375 - News Anxiety and Surviving the Infodemic

Culture, Education, Resource, Stress, Trauma

Yeah, it is a real thing and we are existing in it. From the looks of things most of us are struggling and that is never a good thing. An infodemic is a smash up between too much information and a pandemic.

I didn't invent this term. Goes back to 2001-2003ish.

There is a pandemic of bad, worse and toxic levels of disinformation. People are getting sick or at risk of ingesting poor quality information sources.

I'm not being hyperbolic here. I stopped monitoring local and national news. All of it and cut back on social media too. And I actually turn off my phone at night.

In my limited defense, I did not want constant notifications of dubious statements and horrifying facts. I've mention this in the podcast. It is ok to take a break from the firehouse of news.

But there is a cost. One morning, I woke up, turned on the phone and found out about not one but two wildfires.

We need safe and viable ways to monitor the news without crushing our spirts to dust. I have an idea or two. This are just my ideas. We can build something better than what we have.

Doomscrolling will not get us there.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned:

I strongly recommend a safe browser to visit websites. I'm thinking stuff like Duck Duck Go, Vivaldi or using an app that blocks tracking cookies.

Possibly set up a limited use account for your on-line and researching needs.

APNews.com, this is a non-profit news organization. It reports the news but does not interpret the story. They don't make the news palatable. They tell you what the news story is and the known facts at the time. AP Fact Check, looks at stories that might be questionable true or false.

Reuters News is a business to business commercial news company. Similar philosophy to the AP, gives the story but generally does not embellish. Reuters news also has a fact check page to evaluate social media and visual images to provide verification on who created it and is it the truth.

FactCheck.org is a project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center. Also includes SciCheck for science claims.

The Poyter Institute has Politifact which has fact checking in English and Spanish.

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