logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
1h 19m

Understanding the “Flight” Response: Anx...

RICK HANSON, PH.D., FORREST HANSON
About this episode
Dr. Rick and Forrest discuss the “flight” response to stress, which includes feelings of anxiety and fear, avoidant behavior, and an underlying sense of insecurity. They explore the emotions and behaviors associated with the flight response, and how we can build up a stronger, more secure sense of who we are. Rick shares some practical tools that will help y ... Show More
Up next
Nov 2
How to Stop Feeling Self-Conscious: Escaping the Panopticon
It's easy to run our lives through a filter of, "What does this look like as I'm doing it?" This constant self-monitoring inevitably leads to self-consciousness and anxiety. In this episode, Forrest explores how we can break out of this “internalized panopticon." He talks about w ... Show More
48m 43s
Oct 26
How to Break Relationship Patterns: Resolving Conflict and Communicating Your Needs
Most relationships, romantic or otherwise, tend to get stuck in predictable patterns of conflict. This episode is about how to resolve that conflict, and get things moving again. Dr. Rick and Forrest draw on Rick's decades of work with couples and families to talk about getting o ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 19
How to Fix Insomnia: CBT-I with Dr. Ashley Mason
Forrest is joined by Dr. Ashley Mason, a clinical psychologist and sleep researcher at UCSF, to discuss Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). They talk about what separates insomnia from a few rough nights, why people with insomnia sleep (on average) only a little le ... Show More
1h 16m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Episode 368: How to Overcome Anxiety About Flying
<p>Hello, friends! I hope everyone is doing well.</p> <p>In today's episode, we take a deep dive into a pressing concern from a listener who's experiencing heightened flight anxiety, especially after a recent panic attack. Having flown multiple times without issues, the sudden re ... Show More
29m 16s
Nov 2024
552 Fear of Flying
Take this with you when traveling if you experience a "Fear of Flying." The sister episode to this one is Episode 281 Calming Anxiety and Counting Back from 100 by 7s https://AffirmationPod.com/100by7 Affirmation Pod is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Better ... Show More
14m 22s
Jul 2025
Understanding Activation– Anxiety & Your Fight/Flight Response (Part 2)
In this episode we explore the activated nervous system state—better known as fight-or-flight. If you’ve ever felt anxious, tightly wound, or like your body just can’t stop, this one’s for you. We explore why your system gets stuck in this high-alert state and, most importantly, ... Show More
37m 29s
Sep 2025
335 | What is Anxiety? | How This Response Leads to Growth
<p>In this episode, I explore what anxiety is, why it arises, and how confronting it can lead to personal growth. I shares my own struggle with agoraphobia and health anxiety, draw on existential thinkers like Jordan Peterson, and outline practical steps for building structure, c ... Show More
26m 50s
Apr 2023
Solutions to Switch Off the Fight or Flight Response and Feel Calm Again
You're the guest on today's podcast! This is a chance to ask yourself some questions and do important work within yourself. Stress can be triggering the flight and fight response in your body and releasing chemicals that raise your heartbeat! If persistent, this can cause a lot o ... Show More
27m 24s
Nov 2022
210 | 3 Eye-Opening Anxiety Truths
<p>On todays episode, I go over 3 big anxiety realizations I experienced when going through anxiety recovery. How does one approach suffering? When we are held back by our fears, what do we need to do? I go over these, and more, on this podcast episode. </p> <p> </p> <p>—The Anxi ... Show More
31m 48s
Mar 2020
Under Pressure
I&apos;d like you to take a look at how you respond when you&apos;re under pressure. Do you try to hide from the issue, do you try and run away from it and pretend it doesn&apos;t exist, or maybe your adrenals kick in and you try to fight your way through it. Hamish is joining me ... Show More
34m 11s