7 Podcasts That Can Help You Feel Just a Little Less Anxious
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If you struggle with anxiety, you know there's no quick fix. (It doesn't matter how many times someone tells you to relax.) But finding things that work for you — outside of therapy and anything else your doctor recommends, of course — doesn't have to be so challenging. With the surge of podcasts, gaining access to professionals and creative thinkers is easier than ever. We've compiled a list of short, soothing podcasts you can listen to before bed, while in the shower, or during a particularly stressful moment that will help you unwind and find new ways to cope.
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Ten Percent Happier
You may know Dan Harris as an anchor on Good Morning America. In his podcast, he interviews experts on meditation, the practice that changed his life after he had a panic attack on air.
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The Slowdown
When you need to calm your racing mind, take five minutes for The Slowdown. In each bite-sized episode, host Tracy K. Smith reads a poem and discusses why it was chosen, with the goal of helping listeners see the world from a different perspective.
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Mindful
Mindfulness is known to help ease anxiety, but if you're unsure how to put it into practice, the short meditations and conversations in the Mindful podcast are a good place to start.
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Nothing Much Happens
Nothing Much Happens is billed as "bedtime stories for grown-ups," and if you struggle to shut off your brain before bed, these 30-minute episodes may be just what you need to get a restful night of sleep.
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The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
This twice-weekly show aims to help anyone struggling with anxiety, PTSD, or panic disorder make meaningful changes in their lives to help better manage their symptoms. Host Gina Ryan has battled anxiety herself and knows how to discuss these heavy topics in a light and helpful way.
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Slow Radio
When you're not interested in hearing conversations, interviews, or stories, put on your headphones, close your eyes, and get lost in soothing sounds from around the world (think: birds chirping in the rainforest or trickling fountains outside a palace in Granada).
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Meditation Minis Podcast
Think you don't have time to meditate? Try listening to Meditation Minis. Most episodes are just 10-minutes long, and the guided meditations — narrated by hypnotherapist Chel Hamilton — will leave you feeling centered and calm.