Anxiety & Depression How to Harness the Power of Anxiety With Neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our editorial process Published on March 14, 2022 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Meet Wendy Suzuki Why Wendy Suzuki Is Mentally Strong What You’ll Hear on the Show What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Quotes From Wendy More About the Podcast Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Meet Wendy Suzuki Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University. She invests much of her time studying brain plasticity—how the brain is able to grow and adapt over the lifespan. She is known for her extensive work studying areas of the brain that are critical to our ability to develop and retain long-term memories. Her books include "Healthy Brain, Happy Life" and "Good Anxiety." Why Wendy Suzuki Is Mentally Strong It used to be thought that the brain stopped producing new neurons after a certain age. But research like Wendy’s has helped change this idea. She’s shown that the brain can continue to grow and adapt over time. One of her major areas of research involves exercise and the impact this has on the brain. That led to her first book. But she’s also conducted a lot of research on anxiety and how we can use it as a way to empower ourselves. Although she’s an expert in the field, she doesn’t shy away from talking about her own experiences. She shares the strategies that have helped her work through grief and how she manages her own anxiety. What You Can Do to Cope With Anxiety What You’ll Hear on the Show Why anxiety is such a powerful emotion How we can start harnessing that power to help us The difference between clinical anxiety and everyday anxiety How to identify the coping skills you currently use to deal with anxiety Why comfort foods and alcohol make anxiety worse Why deep breathing exercises are so good for anxiety The top breathing exercise Wendy recommends How exercise and strength training combat anxiety Why you should go get a massage The benefits of being in nature How giving away money can shift your mindset What Wendy’s loss taught her about emotional pain How the negative contrast effect can make us happier even when bad things happen How to manage pandemic anxiety How your pet can help you deal with anxious feelings Those Who Thrived During the Pandemic Might Feel Anxiety About Reopening What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength Anxiety feels uncomfortable. And for the most part, we don’t want to experience it. But we should have some anxiety. After all, it is meant to keep us safe. Anxiety might warn you of danger or steer you toward better decisions. Your anxiety alarm bell might be a bit faulty, however. It might ring loudly even when you’re not in any actual danger. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage anxiety in a healthy way. As Wendy says, you can learn to harness it in a way that it becomes more of a benefit, rather than a hindrance. Quotes From Wendy Wendy Suzuki, PhD Anxiety isn't the same as deep grief that comes with a death of somebody that you love, but there is pain that comes with anxiety. And I ask myself what wisdom, what gifts could come from that pain? — Wendy Suzuki, PhD "Those comfort foods can be immediately comforting. But in the long run they can shift your emotional balance to actually make those feelings of anxiety worse over the long term." "I needed gifts to come out of pain and anxiety." "That unconditional love that you get from your pets is a wonderful, quick fix to decrease your anxiety and get that kind of endorphin high." Foods to Help Fight Depression More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Links and Resources Visit Wendy Suzuki’s website Check out Wendy’s books Follow Wendy Suzuki on Instagram If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes Friday Fix: How Radical Acceptance Can Reduce Your Suffering How to Unwind Your Anxiety With Neuroscientist Jud Brewer Friday Fix: How to Reduce Uncomfortable Feelings So You Can Think Clearly Adapting to Post-Pandemic Reality When You Have Social Anxiety By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.