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Being Well · January 15, 2024 · 45m

How to Live in an Anxious World: Uncertainty, Agency, and Resilience

Rick and Forrest tackle the anxiety epidemic. Why everything feels overwhelming, practical ways to manage uncertainty, and how to stay grounded when the world seems increasingly chaotic.

Canon

Hanson presents the Stoic dichotomy of control as a clinical tool for anxiety: systematically sorting concerns into 'within my control' and 'outside my control,' then allocating attention only to the first category.

Highlights

Anxiety is the brain's response to perceived helplessness — the antidote is agency, not calm
Hanson: anxiety is not primarily about danger — it's about the perceived inability to cope with danger. Increasing your sense of agency (I can handle this) reduces anxiety more effectively than reducing the actual threats.