Dr. Martha Beck

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When we lie, our bodies get very weak. For example, stick your arm out. Say, I love fresh air.

When we lie, our bodies get very weak. For example, stick your arm out. Say, I love fresh air.

Now, I want you to do that while lying. And the lie I'd like you to say is, I love to vomit. Say it.

Now, I want you to do that while lying. And the lie I'd like you to say is, I love to vomit. Say it.

Now say, I love fresh air.

Now say, I love fresh air.

Now say, I love to vomit.

Now say, I love to vomit.

It's because of the way the brain is structured. And there are many tricks. Do you want to do some more? Sure, let's do that.

It's because of the way the brain is structured. And there are many tricks. Do you want to do some more? Sure, let's do that.

So our brains are biologically pre-programmed to be anxious, taught by innocently believing lies, by socialization or trauma. Socialization says you're not good enough, you should try harder, that was a bad choice, all kinds of things. And trauma tells you, oh my God, everything's dangerous all the time. And then it creates horror stories that haven't happened yet to make you safe.

So our brains are biologically pre-programmed to be anxious, taught by innocently believing lies, by socialization or trauma. Socialization says you're not good enough, you should try harder, that was a bad choice, all kinds of things. And trauma tells you, oh my God, everything's dangerous all the time. And then it creates horror stories that haven't happened yet to make you safe.

But the thing about anxiety is if you get stuck in the anxiety spiral, it just keeps getting worse. For example, I have memories and a lot of physical scarring from sexual abuse, which started at five years old. And then by the time I was 30, I had depression and anxiety and bedridden with autoimmune diseases, thinking I could just kill myself.

But the thing about anxiety is if you get stuck in the anxiety spiral, it just keeps getting worse. For example, I have memories and a lot of physical scarring from sexual abuse, which started at five years old. And then by the time I was 30, I had depression and anxiety and bedridden with autoimmune diseases, thinking I could just kill myself.

But I can tell you with 100% certainty, it is possible to trick our brains and shut down anxiety.

But I can tell you with 100% certainty, it is possible to trick our brains and shut down anxiety.

Here's one of my favourites.