Behavioral Neuroscientist Shows You How to Break The Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle | Judson Brewer

With the Coronavirus pandemic bringing the world to a halt; on this special edition of Impact Theory, Tom interviews Behavioral Neuroscientist Jud Brewer on how to keep your cool in hectic times such as these.

Jud would like like to offer Impact Theory viewers a 30% discount on his apps including Unwinding Anxiety, Jud's clinically proven app for dealing with stress and anxiety.

[gracemorganspeaks]

Whoever is reading know that you are a fighter who has won previous battles. You will win this one. Be calm and fear not. Peace

[yinglin]

Hi Tom! Im an expat living in Shanghai for +5 years and the covid crisis caught me alone with my two cats at home. We stayed in selfquarantine at home for 6 weeks in a row and i can tell you, thank god for my pets cuddles and the internet. Something i missed that i never had imagined is the feeling of the wind and the sun in my skin and i started missing human contact a lot after a couple of weeks without physically meeting another human being! I would open the window to let the wind in (i dont have a balcony in my appartment). Some days went by fast (thanks to women of impact and impact theory) and others were a struggle, but now china is recovering and things are starting to improve despite we go to office and have to wear a face mask all the time in office and at the street...i hope you all stay safe and be cautious rather than sorry. Big hug from Shanghai ❤️

[lapislazuli]

Thank you Tom for offering us this advice, it's so valuable at this time. I'm from Portugal, currently the city where I live is on lockdown and people are terrified overwhelmed with panic. I am a super positive person, I'm always trying to calm family and friends and boyfriend down sending them funny videos, cheerful posts, some of them have accused me of being in La La Land, but i refuse to give in to fear, anxiety and stress. My days are spent sewing, dancing and singing all by myself, gardening, baking, painting, cleaning and organizing. No news allowed. That's my response to corona virus! Let's spread calm and joy as stated!!!!

[BrianLife]

Toms favorite expression. “ I literally
have the chills right now”

[mik]

We must not live in a state of fear, which is just opposite of faith. One or the other day we all will die definitely, but when you live in state of fear, you dont live anymore!

[Helloimliv]

Thank you... I love how this guy is very uplifting and isn't so serious or dramatic. Love his light-heartedness. He's awesome. Makes me feel much better. Thanks Tom!

[alrightsky]

Dr. Jud was so nice to listen to. I loved his energy and positive attitude. Thanks for this! It was very nice and refreshing to listen to in these times.

[ARCH-INNERGY]

"When the ego weeps for what it has lost the spirit rejoices for what it has found."
Disconnecting from the "thinking" and "ego" chatter is awareness. Being in the moment and being aware of your surroundings and being in gratitude.

[skihillsandy]

My only social interaction comes from work, the rest of my life is family. So being home for 2 weeks with my family is a no brainer. We still shop for essentials, we read, watch movies, exercise, walk in the garden & woods. I think this is harder for people who live in big cities. We always have a months worth of toilet paper & essentials. That’s the way you live in the more rural areas. Thanks Tom!

[alextomaszewski]

It fascinates me when describing conscious and non-conscious behavior that we tend to break down the experience people suffer from by diving into sub-components of a universal problem. Instead of looking at the person, we look at their brain, and then we break down the brain itself, thinking that’s where the problem lies. The mind is not separate from the person, and yet we evaluate the person by separating the person from their mind.

When we engage a child or a dog, the child or the dog knows us, and we know it, not on the bases of intellect. The true relationship between man/man and man/species is sensory - it's felt. We can alter the state of a child or dog through the emotions felt by the other. When we look at the person and evaluate the person, we recognize something interesting. That when we know how to identify and alter a person’s state (feeling), we change the individual. When we learn how to control our state, we can influence our Thoughts -> Decisions -> Actions.

Controlling feeling is unattainable for most because instead of seeing the world through their own eyes, they live their world through the eyes of others. They live in an external world rather than an inner world. Doing so hinders the potentiality of conscious living. Media is a culprit in the spreading of hysteria because instead of independent fact-checking we deem a sliver of reality to be the only reality - Pandemonium or Peace. It's easier to be on an extreme rather than seeing things from two points of view and drawing own conclusions on the nature of our reality.

People fear death, and that is why hysteria exists. People long for life, unable to find it, and yet it exists all around them. This virus is exposing a broken system. The system is recalibrating, and new system values and morals are merging. When people decide to look through their own eyes, they'll see people helping one another. State, country, and world governments are working as one. This virus is bringing people back to universal truths to live by: Love, Connection, Joy in the midst of chaos. Stop, look, feel with discernment, and then draw your own conclusions. This is your reality.

[ossen]

Panic only clouds the judgement for making rational decisions.
Take precautions and don't worry about things that you cannot control.

[krsvid]

During this crisis everyday is a struggle but sticking to your habits and rituals, will provide the sense of control and eliminating the anxiety of believing you're out of control. However, easier said than done.

[בנינירן]

start / keep meditating, remain calm, things are happening the way they suppose to. relax.

[joycesegers]

Really feeling the anxiety these past few days. I live with and take care of my 85 year old father, so me staying healthy is vital. I am hunkered down and ordering groceries through delivery and only getting outside for brief walks and essentials. I like the BBO concept... put up BBO stickies all around to remind me. So, just got done eating way to much cake (my mouth dropped when you started talking about cake)...and this is my go to, unconscious eating, when I am anxious. Not good when I have really been working on my weight...lost 40 lbs. recently. Anyway, so many great tips here...when my finances get back to normal, I will check out the app too! Thanks Tom and Judson!! Be wise, spread calm instead of fear, stress reduction instead of eating cake and be AWARE...tap into your body's wisdom!!

[MichelleEllsworth]

Man I’ve been feeling this! I had such great momentum on my YouTube channel and been a bit paralyzed creatively. Today had a breakthrough to keep moving and how to break out of the anxiety and stress. Thanks for this. I think it’s a worldwide issue!

[dronesandnature]

Kindness, connection, calm through awareness. Getting conscious. Being present. Embodied wisdom.

Health/weight/stress eating:
The brain is unable to make good (eating, communication, finances etc) decisions if bathed in cortisol and other stress hormones arising from negative thoughts and fear. The body will also put on fat and prevent muscle building in stress/anxiety mode. It's part of our physiology. So it is even more important to be practicing mindfulness, meditation, healthy movement, turning off the TV and getting outside--change your input to change your physiology.

[danieljean]

Salute Tom. You are literally saving lives. Ephesians 4:29.

[MichaelDennis]

I just had a subscriber asking me for advice on managing with anxiety caused by coronavirus! I’ll definitely be passing this along, thanks for the insights Tom🙏🏼🔥

[yinghuichong]

A friend of mine from Taiwan said that the panic started from Hong Kong when there were rumors saying that there'll be shortage of tissue, since the production has declined. The surge has then spread to Taiwan, subsequently Japan, and currently to other countries where there's rise in anxiety.
Really good explanation from Dr. Judson!

[Crrrysstal]

Tom and Dr Jud, I can’t tell you how helpful this video was for me. Thank you for taking the time to do it in this very strange moment in time that is the world around us right now. Virtual hugs to you both.