Tag Archives: anxiety therapy nashville

Finding Your Ground in a World of Distress

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Every time we open our phones or turn on the news, it feels like another heartbreak, another crisis, another reason to feel powerless. The weight of the world around us, especially now, feels overwhelming. And while caring deeply is part of being human, we aren’t meant to carry everything on our shoulders. 

We sat down with Amy Jackson, LCSW, a therapist here at The Happy Hour, to hear her perspective on how to make a difference without losing yourself in the process. If you’ve been feeling distressed, divided, or just plain worn out, here are a few ways to reclaim a sense of peace and personal power:

 

1. Limit your social media intake

We were not built to absorb the sadness and struggles of every corner of the globe, all at once. Take in the information you need, then step away. Give yourself permission to close the apps, put the phone down, and choose presence over doomscrolling.

 

2. Touch grass (literally)

Reconnect with the earth. Go for a walk. Step outside barefoot, notice the trees around you, feel the sun on your skin. Grounding in nature reminds us that life is bigger than the chaos of headlines and that peace is still possible in the small, simple moments.

 

3. Turn worry into action

If a policy, headline, or injustice leaves you discouraged, pair your concern with a tangible behavior. Help someone register to vote. Donate to a cause you believe in. Call your representatives. Even the smallest action is proof that you are participating in the world around you—and that matters.

 

4. Lean on your people

We aren’t meant to navigate hardship alone. Reach out to your friends, your family, your chosen community. Share how you’re feeling, ask for a hug, sit together over a meal. Connection creates resilience, and in dark times, togetherness is medicine.

 

The truth is: You cannot control everything that’s happening in the world. But you can control what you let in, how you ground yourself, and the way you connect with others. Small choices matter. They ripple outward. And sometimes, remembering that is the most powerful thing of all.


THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

 

 

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Facing Anxiety

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Insights from Therapist Lauren Kelley

 

Letting them know that the magic is in not trying to run from it—but instead, meeting it.

 

In a recent conversation with Lauren Kelley, a therapist here at The Happy Hour, we explored the role anxiety plays in our lives, and how it can hold us back from feeling present, connected, and fully alive.

 

The first step, Lauren explains, is recognizing that anxiety is often trying to tell us something. Whether or not we choose to listen, it won’t simply disappear. In fact, the more we try to run from anxiety, the stronger it tends to become.

 

Many people’s anxiety stems from deeply held negative beliefs about themselves. It’s like looking at life through a distorted lens—one that doesn’t feel clear, secure, or safe. Common fears like Am I good enough?, Do I belong?, or Will I be rejected? are experiences most of us encounter at some point. For some, these fears become more intense or persistent.

 

It’s important to understand anxiety in proportion. A manageable level of anxiety can be useful; it can motivate us or signal when something needs attention. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or out of proportion to the situation, it can disrupt our ability to function and thrive.

 

To help clients manage anxiety, Lauren often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a psychological approach that explores the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT techniques include identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, examining evidence for and against those beliefs, developing alternative perspectives, and practicing new, healthier behaviors.

 

The message is clear: you don’t need to fear your anxiety. The real shift begins when you stop running and start listening.

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.