Episode 35: High FUNCTIONING Anxiety and Entrepreneurship with Heather Rider
I am thrilled to interview Heather Rider, an Anxiety Coach and Imposter Syndrome Educator who personally overcame these conditions while working in a demanding tech career. She overcame an anxiety and stress-induced autoimmune reaction by breaking patterns, unlocking her subconscious, and programming new patterns and beliefs. Heather writes and presents on the topics of Perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, High Functioning Anxiety, and other anxiety related topics. She now works with other high achieving, goal oriented women who are ready to feel good in their bodies, ditch the anxiety, and live the full life that they deserve.
What is High Functioning Anxiety?
This is a condition where the person appears calm and laid back, but they don’t operate in the present moment and are constantly overthinking the past and how they could have done better, or ruminating about the future and worried about what could happen. With the mind constantly going, insomnia is very common.
“No one had any idea that I had anxiety, not even myself. Other people, they used to tell me how calm I looked. They used to tell me how laid back I was. And I didn’t understand that because on the inside I didn’t feel that way at all. My mind was constantly constantly going.”
-Heather R.
How Does One Deal with High Functioning Anxiety?
There are some techniques to help calm the central nervous system for short-term relief such as meditation, mindfulness, visualizations, and yoga. But in order to truly heal and overcome this condition, one must find the root cause of the anxiety. We all have past experiences that are traumatic. They may be “Big T” and/or “Little T” traumas, but they shape us, form our subconscious programming, and solidify our limiting beliefs of ourselves and others.
Our bodies are constantly sending us signals to help and protect us. Anxiety can show up in the body as insomnia, chest pain and restriction, respiratory issues, constricted or sore throat, gut issues, and other physical indicators. We must listen to our bodies and make necessary changes in order to heal.
Healing Techniques
We can shift our mindset and routines to break the pattern of spiraling thoughts.
Feet on the Floor Technique - put both feet on the floor (sitting or standing) and set your attention on them. This brings you into the present moment and into bodily awareness. Then imagine a ball of energy above your head that pours into the top of your head, throughout your body, and out through the feet and into the floor. As the ball of energy flows through, one can notice where the body is tight and relax that area and bring in a softness. Imagine your breath is relaxing each area of your body. This technique can be done anywhere and once you get used to it, it can be done at your work desk, in line at the grocery store, or anywhere! With regular practice, one will start noticing the feet grounded without consciously starting the practice.
Noticing Our Thoughts - Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings from the viewpoint of a curious observer, never judging or condemning yourself. Wonder to yourself and ask “What brought on this feeling”? Notice your environment, your thoughts, and allow any emotions to flow and be expressed.
These easy techniques can be proactive approaches to help us never get into a physical bodily response to stress and anxiety. So incorporate them into your day and melt that stress away!
Be sure to listen to my Lightning Round with Heather - she has a wonderful super power!
“To really heal from anxiety we have to understand what caused us to feel the way that we do, how did that shape our brain, how did that shape our subconscious programming, our limiting beliefs about ourselves and others.”
-Heather R.
Connect with Heather
www.theenergysynergist.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrider/
https://www.facebook.com/TheEnergySynergist/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVc6lTp2JnIc0v5PWXI1gRQ
https://www.pinterest.com/theenergysynergist/