A Couple of Podcasts That Help Me Get Through Anxiety
One tells stories, and the other plays the piano and talks soothingly
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. You should still visit the doctor if you are having anxiety or any other mental health issues. This is purely my experience listening to the podcasts mentioned here.
The pandemic was much more to us than a mere virus rampaging throughout the world. It was a crucible that left us with a lot of questions.
Questions related to our finance, health, mental health, and questions about us humans as a collective species. I would not get into much of that.
As happened to a lot of us during that period, I too was affected by the pandemic. I lost loved ones, had to shut doors on my small business, and was left with questions pertaining to my future, and the future of the world in general.
I missed the ‘normalcy’ of the cocoon that we used to live inside prior to the pandemic. And it was somewhere in the middle of 2020 when I realized that what I was experiencing was anxiety. Just like that, on some days, I felt all sad and gloomy and couldn’t function during the day.
I smoked cigarettes upon cigarettes and numbed myself to oblivion in the bottom of a bottle of whiskey. It only helped increase my anxiety and kept me running on a hamster wheel.
It was until a day when I decided to spend the entire day binging on some tv show and researching what to watch, that I came across this podcast. I loved the genre as I read most of my fiction in that genre, so I downloaded a podcast app and subscribed to this podcast.
Lore
Lore is an award-winning podcast by host Aaron Mahnke. It deals with various aspects of folklore and mythologies found in our cultures and societies.
In each episode, Mahnke delves deep into selected folklore and tales with various possible explanations that might have given birth to that particular lore.
Mahnke’s way of storytelling is so soothing that I binged upon several episodes each day and somehow, was able to forget about everything that was going on around me if momentarily.
And like it always happens when we are in a deep state of rest, my brain began to open up and I was once again being able to think properly.
You don’t have to listen to it as some kind of alternative therapy, but give it a go; I like to think that you too will love the stories.
Calm It Down
Call it a coincidence or connection, the music in Lore is given by the creator of this podcast, Chad Lawson. Along with Mahnke's storytelling, what I loved about Lore was the music.
So, like a sensible ‘calm’ person I Googled his name, and one link directed me to the podcast “Calm It Down.”
Calm It Down is a podcast where each episode is a chunk of wisdom, told cheerfully and in a soothing way by Chad Lawson; coated with his beautiful piano music.
It was just this morning when I felt not so good about everything going around, so I listened to an old episode, and bang; I came back to my desk and started typing this piece.
Takeaway
Storytelling, music, art, and all other creative activities are so powerful due to this simple fact. They help us enhance our lives, or in some cases, help us see clearly through a veil of confusion.
Give these podcasts a chance, and I know you won’t regret it. Do you have any such podcasts or stories, books, music, or piece of art, that has impacted your life?
Do let me know in the comments. Maybe, I will give it a try as well.
Again, this is not a piece of medical advice. Visit your physician if you are disturbed, or experiencing any signs of anxiety or any other mental condition.
