Discovering The Ideal Anxiety Podcast For Stress Relief And Anxiety Management

Coping with stress and anxiety can be challenging, but having healthy methods and approaches to handle them can be beneficial. Anxiety podcasts, available on major streaming platforms, can offer support and guidance to those who experience occasional stress or are living with a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

It's normal to experience stress or occasional anxiety during certain life events. However, consistently high stress levels can harm your physical, mental, and emotional health, and long-lasting anxiety feelings may indicate an anxiety disorder or other mental health problems.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, affecting over 40 million American adults every year. Although anxiety is treatable, only 36.9% of those affected seek treatment and receive adequate support. Untreated anxiety symptoms may worsen over time and interfere with daily life, responsibilities, and relationships.

Developing healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety is essential. Many people find that exercising, eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness and self-care can help. If you suspect you may have an anxiety disorder, it's recommended to consult a licensed, in-person psychiatrist who can provide a diagnosis, pharmaceutical treatment options, and psychotherapy.

Anxiety podcasts can serve as a valuable addition to therapy for some individuals. While they should not replace professional medical advice and personalized treatment plans, anxiety podcasts can help you understand and develop strategies to address maladaptive coping mechanisms, avoidance issues, negative thinking, and negative emotions independently.

Some anxiety podcast hosts are licensed therapists who offer suggestions on deep breathing exercises and other grounding techniques. Certain podcasts specialize in specific anxiety disorders, such as panic or social anxiety. Reading podcast descriptions, examining podcast host credentials, and trying out an episode or two can help you find the right podcast for you.

12 Anxiety Podcasts To Explore

These podcasts provide a variety of educational content, exercises, and discussions on different anxiety disorders and related mental illnesses.

The Calmer You

Hosted by hypnotherapist, anxiety coach, and author Chloe Brotheridge, The Calmer You podcast offers real-life tips and advice on overcoming anxiety, building resilience, becoming more mindful daily, and ultimately living a happier, more fulfilled life.

Anxiety Slayer

Hosts Shann Vander Leek & Ananga Sivyer provide expert tools and strategies to help those dealing with long-term stress, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks. The Anxiety Slayer podcast features conversations and interviews with psychology and anxiety experts, as well as practical strategies to manage symptoms in everyday life, including meditation, breathwork, and various relaxation techniques to promote relaxation and peace.

Your Anxiety Toolkit

Marriage and family therapist Kimberley Quinlan hosts Your Anxiety Toolkit, a podcast offering practical advice and strategies for managing anxiety symptoms and overcoming stress. Each episode explores science-based tools and guidance to help you manage diverse mental health concerns and become your best self.

Social Anxiety Solutions

For those living with social anxiety, Social Anxiety Solutions, hosted by social confidence coach Sebastiaan van der Schrier, can help you navigate your emotions and discover healthy ways to overcome them. The podcast serves as a valuable resource for those living with social anxiety to find effective coping mechanisms and strategies for reducing anxiety in social situations and building self-confidence.

Getting Better: Stories Of Mental Health

BetterHelp has a podcast, hosted by licensed therapists Micheline Maalouf and Nadia Addesi, includes personal interviews with well-known guests such as Ian Somerhalder, Chris Bosh, and Meghan Trainor.

The Overwhelmed Brain

Hosted by Paul Colaianni, The Overwhelmed Brain offers a space to turn to when you feel stressed and overwhelmed. With over 400 episodes in its catalog, this podcast aims to help you address negative emotional causes while building self-worthand self-esteem.

The Anxiety Guy

Hosted by former tennis player Dennis Simsek, who was diagnosed with panic disorder and overcame it through exposure therapy, The Anxiety Guy podcast delves into anxiety and other mental health issues and their impact on your life. Simsek shares his experience with mental illness and offers real-life advice and strategies for overcoming stress and anxiety.

Yeah No, I'm Not Okay

Created in collaboration with LAist Studios and Diane Guerrero, Yeah No, I'm Not Okay targets BIPOC communities, who are disproportionately affected by mental health issues. This podcast aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health concerns and establish a safe space for people of color to openly discuss mental health.

Meditation Minis

When you're busy but need a moment of peace and relaxation, the Meditation Minis podcast might be the answer. These short, guided meditations, averaging around 10 minutes, can help calm anxiety, boost confidence, increase focus, and overcome negative thought patterns.

The Mindful Minute

Hosted by Meryl Arnett, The Mindful Minute caters to individuals new to mindfulness and meditation. This podcast explores the concept of focusing on your breath and the many proven mental health benefits of mindfulness.

Selfie

Research shows that self-care is vital for your mental health and can improve stress and anxiety symptoms. Hosted by writer and psychotherapist Kristen Howerton, Selfie is a podcast that delves into self-care. Howerton provides actionable tips and strategies, ranging from parenting techniques and getting enough sleep to understanding how your personality may influence your self-care habits.

The Anxiety Coaches

Hosted by Gina Ryan, The Anxiety Coaches podcast has had over 13 million downloads and intends to provide relaxing, informative, and empowering conversations that explore anxiety, PTSD, stress, and panic disorders. Each episode offers practical advice and strategies for making lifestyle changes to enhance your well-being and mental health.

When To See A Therapist

Chronic stress and anxiety can negatively impact your physical and mental health. Finding healthy ways to cope and reduce symptoms can improve your overall well-being. While a podcast may offer helpful tips and strategies for reducing stress and anxiety, it's not a replacement for professional therapy. If you're experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety that is affecting your life, it's essential to seek support from a licensed therapist.

If you want professional help with the convenience and accessibility of an anxiety podcast, consider trying online therapy. Unlike traditional in-person therapy, online sessions allow you to receive guidance from anywhere with an internet connection.

Research shows that online therapy can be as effective as traditional forms of therapy, and one study found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective than in-person therapy at reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. Online therapy platforms, like ReachLink, accept insurance and offer therapy at rates comparable to many insurance co-pays.

Takeaway

Anxiety podcasts can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety disorder symptoms. There are various styles of anxiety podcasts to choose from, and while they cannot replace professional therapy or pharmaceutical treatments, they can provide valuable insight. Unlike a podcast, online cognitive-behavioral therapy is shown to be effective at reducing anxiety symptoms in peer-reviewed studies, and a licensed therapist can create a fully customized plan to help you improve your quality of life.