Some Nerve

Anxiety

Anxious About Hate Crimes?

Patty Chang Anker on November 28, 2016

Hate crimes are in the news, minorities feel vulnerable and friends feel powerless to help. Here are 5 ways we can meet bias incidents head on.

Hate crimes are in the news, minorities feel vulnerable and friends feel powerless to help. Here are 5 ways we can meet bias incidents head on.

Anxiety

Anxiety & the Special Needs Parent

Patty Chang Anker on March 21, 2016

If parenting is like a roller coaster of anxiety, then special needs parenting is a whole carnival. Author Liane Kupferberg Carter shares how to conquer fear and enjoy the ride

If parenting is like a roller coaster of anxiety, then special needs parenting is a whole carnival. Author Liane Kupferberg Carter shares how to conquer fear and enjoy the ride

Anxiety

5 Steps to Head Off an Anxiety Superstorm

Patty Chang Anker on December 22, 2015

As a fear-facing, anxiety-reducing expert people often ask me if I live a worry free life. Uh…no. Here's what I do when I feel anxiety brewing (and what you can do too).

As a fear-facing, anxiety-reducing expert people often ask me if I live a worry free life. Uh…no. Here's what I do when I feel anxiety brewing (and what you can do too).

Fear

How to Think Outside the Box

Patty Chang Anker on October 31, 2015

“Think outside the box” is advice you often hear. But what if you’re STUCK in a box, a routine, a view of yourself or how others view you?

“Think outside the box” is advice you often hear. But what if you’re STUCK in a box, a routine, a view of yourself or how others view you?

Fear

When the Going Gets Tough

Patty Chang Anker on September 4, 2015

Have you ever worked really hard for a long time toward a goal and then hit a wall? I've hit many walls facing my fear of swimming in open water. And now I can add sea lice to that list.

Have you ever worked really hard for a long time toward a goal and then hit a wall? I've hit many walls facing my fear of swimming in open water. And now I can add sea lice to that list.

Trauma

Your Life After Trauma

Patty Chang Anker on May 26, 2015

For trauma survivors the thought of living a big, brave life may seem far fetched. A new book provides an essential blueprint for going forward with confidence.

For trauma survivors the thought of living a big, brave life may seem far fetched. A new book provides an essential blueprint for going forward with confidence.

Motivation

Ready, Set….D'oh!

Patty Chang Anker on February 6, 2015

If you’re like me, all the things (from sick days to snow days to unexpected assignments and broken appliances) that can derail our days can make it feel like we weren’t meant to follow through on our resolutions and good intentions. When a fresh start becomes a false start, how do we recommit to our goals?

If you’re like me, all the things (from sick days to snow days to unexpected assignments and broken appliances) that can derail our days can make it feel like we weren’t meant to follow through on our resolutions and good intentions. When a fresh start becomes a false start, how do we recommit to our goals?

Relationships

Missing Those We Love at the Holidays

Patty Chang Anker on December 23, 2014

After spending so much of our lives trying to put things together – getting married, having kids, building careers – in pursuit of a complete picture of how things should be, when we come around to holidays or milestones we pause and see what we’ve built and what we haven’t, what we’ve lost and can never get back

After spending so much of our lives trying to put things together – getting married, having kids, building careers – in pursuit of a complete picture of how things should be, when we come around to holidays or milestones we pause and see what we’ve built and what we haven’t, what we’ve lost and can never get back

Fear

How to Overcome Fear of Water

Patty Chang Anker on December 9, 2014

Almost half of Americans are afraid of the deep end of a pool. Over a third are unable to swim, and almost 4000 a year die of drowning. How can we help? We must address the fear first.

Almost half of Americans are afraid of the deep end of a pool. Over a third are unable to swim, and almost 4000 a year die of drowning. How can we help? We must address the fear first.

Anxiety

Words to Live By

Patty Chang Anker on October 30, 2014

When life feels complicated and overwhelming it can be grounding to have a few words to live by to go back to. I love this by Glennon Doyle Melton: Just Show Up. Be Brave. Be Kind. Rest. Try Again. A mantra can clear anxious thoughts and replace with purpose. What words do you live by?

When life feels complicated and overwhelming it can be grounding to have a few words to live by to go back to. I love this by Glennon Doyle Melton: Just Show Up. Be Brave. Be Kind. Rest. Try Again. A mantra can clear anxious thoughts and replace with purpose. What words do you live by?

Education

Learning from the Bravest of the Brave

Patty Chang Anker on September 30, 2014

Ever since September 11, many of us have felt nervous at huge public events, uneasy in the press of a large crowd. But all around us were men and women in uniform.

Ever since September 11, many of us have felt nervous at huge public events, uneasy in the press of a large crowd. But all around us were men and women in uniform.

Anxiety

Transforming "I Can't" or "I Don't" Into "I DID IT"

Patty Chang Anker on August 26, 2014

"I too, have always feared diving but haven't thought about it my whole adult life. I declined to learn to dive as a child, too scary. Last night I wandered into a free swim clinic at my health club. Had no intention of going beforehand. At the end of the class, the teacher said we would dive now. I was ready to walk out but..."

"I too, have always feared diving but haven't thought about it my whole adult life. I declined to learn to dive as a child, too scary. Last night I wandered into a free swim clinic at my health club. Had no intention of going beforehand. At the end of the class, the teacher said we would dive now. I was ready to walk out but..."

Fear

Do You Have a Fear of Commitment? Or Are You Over-Committed?

Patty Chang Anker on July 18, 2014

We all have commitments that are non-negotiable. And obligations we got roped into. But can we commit to things for our own sake—exercise, fun with friends, new experiences—and accept no excuses? Whether you have a fear of commitment or say yes too often, how to make room for the RIGHT commitments.

We all have commitments that are non-negotiable. And obligations we got roped into. But can we commit to things for our own sake—exercise, fun with friends, new experiences—and accept no excuses? Whether you have a fear of commitment or say yes too often, how to make room for the RIGHT commitments.

Fear

3 Ideas for a Summer to Remember

Patty Chang Anker on June 28, 2014

Before you know it, "Any plans for the summer?" will become "How was your summer?" Here are 3 ways to make it unforgettable.

Before you know it, "Any plans for the summer?" will become "How was your summer?" Here are 3 ways to make it unforgettable.

Anxiety

How to Finish what you Start

Patty Chang Anker on May 31, 2014

I know what kind of person I’ve always been. Easily excited, easily distracted, chronically overcommitted, and so on and so on…until now.

I know what kind of person I’ve always been. Easily excited, easily distracted, chronically overcommitted, and so on and so on…until now.

Fear

A Parent's Worst Fear

Patty Chang Anker on April 30, 2014

We’re afraid of our kids dying when they’re small and vulnerable. We worry about aging parents and loved ones who are ill. We prepare for terrorism at public events, we pray for no shootings at schools, we hunker down for natural disasters. But what happens when the tragedy you don't expect strikes?

We’re afraid of our kids dying when they’re small and vulnerable. We worry about aging parents and loved ones who are ill. We prepare for terrorism at public events, we pray for no shootings at schools, we hunker down for natural disasters. But what happens when the tragedy you don't expect strikes?

Fear

Are You Preparing or Procrastinating?

Patty Chang Anker on March 31, 2014

In learning new skills those of us who struggle with anxiety often prolong the "research" phase as long as we can before trusting ourselves to perform them solo. Being well prepared is a great way to combat fear, right? Yes, unless the preparation itself takes you to more "what if" scenarios that cause more fear and require more preparation.

In learning new skills those of us who struggle with anxiety often prolong the "research" phase as long as we can before trusting ourselves to perform them solo. Being well prepared is a great way to combat fear, right? Yes, unless the preparation itself takes you to more "what if" scenarios that cause more fear and require more preparation.

Anxiety

How to Put the Brakes on an Anxiety Attack

Patty Chang Anker on March 5, 2014

I had an anxiety attack the other day while test riding a bike on a Brooklyn Street. I'll admit it, I'm afraid of biking.

I had an anxiety attack the other day while test riding a bike on a Brooklyn Street. I'll admit it, I'm afraid of biking.

Anxiety

The Only New Year's Resolution You Need

Patty Chang Anker on January 1, 2014

This is the time of year when everyone wants to know "What's next?" If you're anxious about the unknown, failure, what people will think of your answer, the question can spark more dread than excitement. How to find freedom in 2014 by approaching New Year's Resolutions in a new way.

This is the time of year when everyone wants to know "What's next?" If you're anxious about the unknown, failure, what people will think of your answer, the question can spark more dread than excitement. How to find freedom in 2014 by approaching New Year's Resolutions in a new way.

Often when we feel defeated, we have no idea what the cost to the world is. We just accept things as they are. Nelson Mandela, by remaining optimistic, determined, and tireless, changed all of these people’s lives, created a new future for his country