What is it about our inboxes that make us feel scattered, panicked, and nervous? Chris & Allison tackle the anxieties of email, from the struggle of maintaining 'inbox zero' to the pressure to respond quickly to the way our email inboxes reflect our mental states. This is a topic that triggers us both greatly, so it's no surprise this episode is particularly filled with laughter and jokes as a haphazard coping mechanism. Hurrah! You can join us in our Facebook group, "We're Anxious...

Usually, this time of year brings both snow and hangovers in abundance. We have the snow, but the lack of gatherings hasn't quite brought the flurry of hangovers one might expect. That hasn't stopped Allison and Chris from being anxious about them. In this episode, they dive into their relationship to alcohol, and what too much alcohol can do when it comes down to anxiety. They also dive into tips for drinking a little bit less, and Allison takes many chances to curse Chris for having...

Ho, ho, ho, your favorite podcasting Grinches are back to decry all things merry and cheerful! Chris & Allison discuss their anxieties about all things gift-giving, and particularly its intersection with Christmas and other societally-dictated gifting traditions. With a fair amount of anti-capitalist screeds and a rant from Allison about scented lotion, we hope you'll laugh along and that this podcast helps to alleviate some of the gifting anxiety you might be experiencing this...

In this episode, Allison and Chris are lucky to be joined by Rebecca Durance Hine, who, like your co-hosts, has battled anxiety over the years. However, her most notable battle is with cancer, and she shares how she overcame anxiety during a difficult time, and actually came out on the other side of cancer with a huge amount of perspective, and also empowered. She talks about how we can be proactive with our health, and offers some important insight into handling a diagnosis, particularly as...

Clutter is just one of those things that you know is so bad for your anxiety, and yet you feel overwhelmed by the thought of even making a dent in it. In this episode, we continue to put off tackling our own physical clutter by ruminating ad nauseam about our own mental clutter surrounding the supposedly-simple act of tidying up.We mention a few articles, a Men's Health article titled "A Psychologist Explains Why Clutter Can Lead to Anxiety and Stress" and a NYT piece called "The Unbearable...

This episode was a long time coming, so both Allison and Chris were collectively relieved and excited to tackle the topic today. They address how, with anxiety, we need to look just beyond the black and white/good and bad dichotomy and try to look at what spending might actually be a benefit. They also talk about how sometimes being anxious about wasting money is actually useful, but other times, it can just be another tool for self-flagellation. This is a topic that is near and dear to both...

In this week's episode, Chris & Allison bemoan the yearly "falling back" and the end of Daylights Savings Time -- and the beginning of The Period of Darkness. They talk about the disorienting effects of a sudden time change on people with anxiety, how scientists all agree that Daylights Savings is trash, and how people with seasonal affective disorder and anxiety can approach the coming winter months with a little more self-compassion. They reference several articles in the episode: "A...

This week, Allison and Chris tackle a topic that it's likely many others are anxious about, and that's learning new technology. They examine why it is they break down when they're got to figure out something new, discuss whether its them or technology that's to blame, how different technology pushes different buttons, as well as whether the time of day has any effect on their learning. They then look at tips and tricks for contending with that anxiety.This is an episode that's filled with...

Okay, technically, we do have an episode this week, hence the asterisk, but for real: we're going on a short break while Allison attends to some personal four-legged family matters. We quickly explain why we don't have a full episode this week and probably next, and we wholeheartedly thank all our listeners for their understanding and support. We appreciate you! Back soon.  Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a CC BY 3.0 license, via the Free Music Archive.

You'd think we could at least get excited about an innocent childish holiday, but alas: even thinking of Halloween puts a shiver up our anxious spines. From the misery of having to pick a funny-yet-relevant Halloween costume to hating Halloween parties but not wanting to feel like a full-on curmudgeon, we have a bone to pick with celebrating Halloween. As always, you can find us in our FB group, We're Anxious About, where you can share your costumes OR your anxiety about Halloween with...

As it turns out, studying for 10 years to become a therapist leaves you with a good grasp on what anxiety is all about. That is the lesson we learned when we invited our guest, Courtney Moreira, on the show. We talk about how having our own mental health struggles can actually put us in a better position to help others, about overcoming imposter syndrome when giving advice, as well as some actionable tips on how people can begin to work through their anxiety on their own if therapy isn't in...

Wait really... meditation? Isn't that supposed to be, like, all Zen and stuff? Well, anxiety is truly the gift that never stops giving, and meditation is no exception. From the exceeding painfulness of staying in one place to cripplingly high expectations about what meditation looks like (and who people who meditate look like), we break down our relationships with meditation in this mildly helpful episode. You can find us in our Facebook group, We're Anxious About. Theme music: "I'm Not...

Allison and Chris knew they'd eventually have to do this episode, and they're happy that they've officially recorded it, and it's now in the past. Terrible jokes aside, they combat the notion in this episode that anxiety is only something related to thinking about the future, and talk about how the past can sometimes overwhelm us and, if we're not careful, how the past can define our present and future. It wouldn't be an IAA episode without an extended metaphor, and in this episode your...

Is there anything more anxiety-inducing than knowing you're going to be late but not being able to do a thing about it? If so, speak not the horror, because we're already on a verbal bender about all our anxieties about being on time. From the balancing act of deciding when to leave when meeting up with friends in public to leaving the house in a flustered, cartoon-like panic, we discuss how our anxiety affects our relationship with time. We also mention a few things throughout the podcast:...

Does it surprise you that Allison and Chris are anxious about criticism? I mean, does it really? Alright, enough questions for you, and more answers about what's included in today's show. They first address the central paradox of wanting to improve, but not wanting to actually hear how to improve, and how that relates to anxiety. They then chat about the importance of giving yourself a moment to process things before wildly overreacting (something they're both adept at). Finally, they talk...

On this special episode of I'm Anxious About, Chris & Allison speak with Kay of The Awkward Traveller about all things hiking. From rogue wild animals to not knowing how long a hike will take to deciphering signs that feel like Sphinx-like riddles to hiker bro gatekeeping, the three find quite a few paths to take when tackling Anxiety Mountain. And along the way, we learn Kay's deepest fear... big rocks. Yes, you heard correctly. Big rocks.If you want to hear more hilarious stories from...

Allison and Chris knew that recording this episode had to be done eventually, and that they also had to use the term "the new normal," much to their chagrin.They break down why this period has been difficult for those with anxiety or mental health challenges, but, since Chris, ever the optimist, is one half of the podcast, they also address potential silver linings. In a bit of a change of pace, Allison and Chris focus heavily here on the present, with the idea that these musings on the...

In today's episode, Chris and Allison discuss all the anxiety-inducing qualities of phone calls. From labyrinthine phone trees straight out of a Kafkaesque nightmare to Zoom fatigue to calls that definitely should have been emails, there's a lot to be said about picking up the phone. They coin a few useful terms -- "shame scrapbook" and "Canadian exit" -- and get momentarily sidetracked by the existence of the Apology Act. Find us on our Facebook group, "We're Anxious About," to join the IAA...

Allison and Chris finally got around to doing an episode about procrastination! In this episode, they coin a new phrase which they think will be around for a while - "The Shame Flame." I suppose you'll have to tune in to figure just what the hell that is.They also use a variety of metaphors largely based around cars (for some reason), and talk about why people with anxiety often think in terms of "failing du jour," or, in layman's terms, the failure of the day. Allison also has a breakthrough...

In this episode, Allison and Chris tackle their complicated feelings towards social media. They discuss their anxieties about how they present themselves to the world, lament the crippling FOMO of following people who actually wake up for sunrise hikes, and share the peculiar challenge of branding yourself and making social media part of your business.They also plug their Facebook group, We're Anxious About, approximately 67 billion times, so you should probably join already and put them out...

This week, Allison and Chris are joined by a special guest, Ryan Patel, and the results are spectacular (at least in their admittedly biased perspective). In fact, these three chums practically had to be torn away from their respective microphones, as evidenced by the fact that this is the longest episode in the history of "I'm Anxious About" thus far.They dive scuba diver deep into what it is about the news that triggers them, chat about how they contend (or don't) with the 24 hour news...

In this episode, Chris and Allison go off the rails discussing the anxieties of public transportation. From crowds to unexpected delays, from unwanted performances to brazen displays of eye contact: the perils of public transportation are plentiful. If you're enjoying the podcast, feel free to join our Facebook group, We're Anxious About.  Theme music: "I'm Not Nervous" by Square People, used under a CC BY 3.0 license, via the Free Music Archive.

In this episode, Allison and Chris break down what makes them anxious when it comes to conflict. Even just the word "confict" sends shivers down Allison's spine. In a move that clearly shows they're upping their game (for which they'll undoubtedly expect praise for), they bring in a few external resources to break down how anxiety mixes with conflict. This is deep dive, and, unlike bananas, they're both rather anxious about this one.  Here's the TED Talk, "Dare to Disagree" Here's the article...

In this special episode, guest Ciara McNally of My Suitcase Diaries joins Chris and Allison to chat all things grocery stores in the Covid-19 era. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they manage to get sidetracked by pressing matters such as does Ireland have snakes (locally known as danger noodles) and Allison’s grave concern about the impending broccoli shortage.Get more of Ciara's endearing Irish charm at @mysuitcasediaries or visiting her blog at http://mysuitcasediaries.org/And come join us in our...

While festivals may be a joyous occasion for some, that doesn't always ring true for your hosts, and particularly Allison. Chris and Allison touch upon the pressure to dress up (and go on a tirade about costumes), how long lines can be rather soul destroying, and Chris also pleads his case to Allison for why some festivals can actually be a cure for anxiety. And, if that wasn't enough, they also remembered to drop a helpful tip or two at the end. Woah, it looks these hosts are going through...