Celebrity psychoanalyst / bestselling author of The Binge Cure has some advice for Americans feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and catastrophic thoughts in these stress-inducing days.
Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, Los Angeles based celebrity psychoanalyst and bestselling author of The Binge Cure has some advice for Americans feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and catastrophic thoughts in these stress-inducing days.
Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, a celebrity psychoanalyst specializing in weight, food and body image issues, is a thought leader in the field of eating psychology. Author of the “THE BINGE CURE : 7 Steps To Outsmart Emotional Eating” and Host of her own show on LA Talk Radio.
In her work she makes clear that there is always something else going on behind emotional eating — and quite often, it is anxiety that is the problem. And in 2020, many report, their anxiety levels are going through the roof.
In recent months, Savelle-Rocklin has spoken out about how that anxiety has been affecting people — and providing some real tools to teach them how to deal with it.
“Anxiety often happens as a result of catastrophic thoughts about the future. What if Trump refuses to leave office? What if we lose our house? What if I never get another job? What if I get the virus? What if our democracy is lost for good? What “if” is always fear about the future and cause real anxiety in the present.”
So what does Savelle-Rocklin suggest those who are feeling this way do?
“The antidote to “What IF?” is “What IS” which is reality, what you know to be true in the present,” she says. “This keeps you grounded in the present instead of getting freaked out about what might happen.”
As we get closer to the holiday season some of the anxiety that so many feel is magnified.
“Since many of us will not be with our families during this holiday season, it’s important to focus on cultivating solitude instead of feeling lonely,” Dr Nina says.
“Loneliness is an awful feeling of emptiness and disconnection whereas solitude is a way of being with ourselves supporting ourselves and being kind to ourselves during a difficult time.”
We create solitude by being responsive and loving to ourselves, meeting our needs, and being a friend to ourselves.
Another way to deal with the physical impact of anxiety is to use the progressive muscle relaxation technique. It does no good to tell yourself to relax, but if you tighten up your muscles, starting with your legs, then your stomach, then your arms, and hold tight for 10–15 seconds before releasing, you’ll feel a physical release. A relaxed body can lead to a relaxed mind, and give you enough time to challenge some of your catastrophic future forecasting and therefore anxiety-producing thoughts!”
She goes on to say, “As counterintuitive as it may sound, when it comes to emotions, the way to get rid of emotions is to actually feel them. Similarly, the best way to get rid of intrusive thoughts is to challenge them. Whatever the situation is that you can’t keep thinking about, identify what it means to you. If it’s anxiety about the election, the underlying meaning might be that you feel powerless and helpless. If it’s worrying about a relationship, the underlying meaning might be a sense of not being good enough or lovable enough. You might have fears about loss or closeness.”
To stop thinking about something that is bothering you, the doctor says, “it’s essential to identify the underlying meaning and then challenge it.”
Her final word?
If you’re feeling helpless because of one thing, focus on what areas in your life you are effective and empowered.”
It’s good advice.
Visit her online at : https://drninainc.com/
