Anxiety is a natural response to danger – whether present or perceived. In June’s episode of The Viva View, our founder, Dr. Julie Lopez sat down with media expert Colin Drummond. Together, they explored how anxiety shows up in the entertainment industry and how we can find effective, calmer ways to respond to our triggers.
Workplace Anxiety Across Industries
Nerves, butterflies, performance anxiety, panic, you name it. What the mental health world has labeled “anxiety” always has its roots in the human system of feeling unsafe. Scanning for danger is an adaptive behavior aimed at ensuring well-being or safety. That same scanning can get in the way of our best life when it shows up as anxiety.
Colin shared a great antidote for this issue. He coaches his clients to learn how to really listen. Some people ask him if that means focusing. It does, in a way. However, at the core of it is being super present to really hear what is being said.
This act of being present helps combat the future-focused aspect of anxiety.
What Causes Anxiety?
When we feel anxiety, it’s an indicator that our system is feeling in danger. A big goal may be on the line, or someone’s reputation. The cause could be even more direct like a fear of crowds or planes. Somewhere deeper in our human system we are sensing danger. Keeping ourselves safe is a natural drive. It makes sense to seek safety. When we see present day anxiety that is getting in the way, causing struggles or suffering, the sense of danger may not be rooted in the present but in response to something in the past.
A major focus for getting a good interview is calming your nerves.”
Colin Drummond
In this episode, Colin shared many examples of scenarios where his clients experience anxiety and how he helps them feel more confident and present. Media interviews, podcasts, and recording content for videos can all bring anxious feelings to the surface.
To this end, there are tools to support you.
Living Well: Anxiety Relief Practice
It is okay to be yourself. However you show up –mistakes and all – you are totally good as you are.”
Dr. Julie Lopez
Anxious thoughts can lead us to think that we always need to be prepared, polished, and on our best game. Perfectionistic expectations are simply unreasonable. They are also part of why anxiety can keep us trapped. Instead of striving for perfection, finding calm can paradoxically improve outcomes.
Simple practices that calm your nervous system can have strong positive impacts immediately and over time. This free e-book shares three accessible tools that can be used to calm down and promote regulation every day. On a scientific level, when you engage in these practices, your vagus nerve sends a signal that activates your parasympathetic nervous system. This tells your body that it can rest and digest; it can calm down.
In the podcast, Colin and Julie talked about the tangible conversational difference when an interviewee or interview is confident and relaxed.
Redefining Mental Health
Mental struggles are part of life. Everyone has had them. Connecting to effective resources can be a game changer on the path to wellness. Anytime someone is receiving care, however well-intentioned that reinforces a message of brokenness, it is time to make a change.
Whether struggling with anxiety, addiction, depression, the effects of trauma, or something else, science-backed healing modalities exist to help. We hope our conversations at The Viva View spark hope and help you access resources that make a difference in your life.
If anything resonated in this interview and you want to find out more about Colin and his work with entrepreneurs and executives, he can be found here.
To incorporate custom-tailored healing tools on your wellness path, schedule your Intentional Matching Interview (IMI) at Viva.
