To help reduce social anxiety, therapy can be great, workbooks can be great…therapy plus a workbook? Potentially very powerful, very effective.
Managing Social Anxiety is part of the “Treatments That Work” series, which is almost entirely workbook-with-therapist friendly. Take a look.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/11/03/managing-social-anxiety/
From PsyBlog, Feeling Anxious? 5 Scientifically Proven Relaxation Techniques. The list:
1. Progressive relaxation
2. Applied relaxation
3. Autogenic training
4. Meditation
5. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Details on the site.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/08/03/five-anxiety-reducers/
The Free CBT Consultation Clinic at the Southern California Counseling Center happens again tomorrow, July 10th, at 2-6pm monthly. Details and dates here.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/07/09/free-cbt-clinic/
TED talk suggests trying something new for 30 days…
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/07/04/30-day-challenge/
Shyness: Evolutionary Tactic? (NYT):
According to Daniel Nettle, a Newcastle University evolutionary psychologist, extroverts are more likely than introverts to be hospitalized as a result of an injury, have affairs (men) and change relationships (women). One study of bus drivers even found that accidents are more likely to occur when extroverts are at the wheel.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/06/26/for-shyness/
Panic Can Build Gradually from Chronic Stress (Psych Central):
The study found that for stressful life events in the categories of “work,” such as a demotion or layoff, or “friends/family/household,” such as a family argument, panic symptoms that had meandering severity before the event increased steadily but gradually for at least 12 weeks afterward.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/06/22/stress-panic-connection/
From TED:
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/06/02/rules-for-happiness/
Non-newsflash from the L.A. Times: Studies show that vacation time can go a long way in reducing stress and bringing our brains back to a more even keel.
“A vacation is not a luxury,” says Jens Pruessner, an associate professor in the departments of psychology, psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University in Montreal. “It’s an investment in your health.”
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/05/31/vacation-from-stress/
From the folks who brought you The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety, take a look at Your Life on Purpose. Described by one Amazon reviewer this way:
The book invites you on a voyage of rediscovery of your life values. Along the way, you will learn to navigate potential values conflict and to identify which of three kinds of barriers — thoughts, emotions or perfectible skills — might hold you back. Gentle and evocative exercises will help you overcome those obstacles and get moving. I particularly liked the exercises that let you experience what living life in accordance to your most deeply held values might feel and look like — a profoundly motivating experience.
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/05/30/your-life-on-purpose/
TED talk by Ron Gutman:
http://www.anxietyla.com/2011/05/14/the-hidden-power-of-smiling/
