Dependency/addiction to self-help audio?

[Kat63]

I’m fighting my anxiety and sensitivity by listening to a recording of some Louise L. Hay affirmations. I’ve done it three mornings in a row now, and I wonder if I’m developing a dependency or addiction. That’s because today, it didn’t soothe me quite as much as it did yesterday or the day before.

[onthetrail]

That's great you found a recording you like. I use a lot of self-help materials and practices: meditation, guided meditation, yoga. I wouldn't call regular use of these an addiction. They encourage mindfulness, reflection, and calm. Those are healthy natural states. More is better in my experience.

That said, I can identify with a certain practice or text losing effect over time. We change. What works for us at one moment may not work at another. That's why it's good to diversify and keep looking for new inspiration.

Also, in our thoughts, we need to be cautious about putting too much faith in one teacher or technique to always be our refuge. That sets us up for failure. Things change. A hopeful and curious state of mind may be our best bet.

[Nom-D-Ploom]

I think the more we hear a thing, the less acute is the reaction. When my brother was killed I used to listen to "Daniel" by Elton John. It got to where I couldn't stand to hear the song because it hurt. Then my other brother died and I played Daniel. It made me hurt, but not for my older brother. It seems to be attached to the younger one.

I listened to "everybody hurts" for the older one. It really brought out all of the feelings. Today I can listen to both songs without any reaction.

[CatIsMyCopilot]

I think for me the important thing is always the *way* I approach something, rather than the thing itself. So, if I am listening to a podcast I like because I'm thinking "This will take my anxiety away, or calm me down", then it's dangerous, because if it doesn't work, I sometimes feel more panicked than before. But if I listen to a podcast I like while thinking "It's OK that I'm anxious right now. I am giving it space, and accepting it, but I can also do other things I like in the meantime, while it fades", then that's OK?

[Kat63 in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

I think you’re onto something.

[CatIsMyCopilot in reply to Kat63]

That would be a first, haha

But yeah, I find I really have to watch myself when I'm anxious, and make sure I'm not buying into the feeling that I'm in danger, and need something to save me. Because buying in will only make it worse in the end. That's true even when that thing I'm using is super innocuous, like a podcast or a TV show.

For some reason reading is usually pretty good for me, because it really requires focus from the mind. That's still my go-to when I'm up in the middle of the night anxious. Of course if it's me re-reading my anxiety books that I've read a million times, then it might end me back up at the same place