Breaking Free from the Bonds of Anxiety with Stephanie Dalfonzo

Statistics show that anxiety is on the rise for Americans and for younger people. Conditions such as anxiety and insomnia can have a negative effect on our lives and prevent us from doing what we want to do or just make life more challenging than it needs to be. Fortunately, I have anxiety expert Stephanie Dalfonzo on the show today. Stephanie has an interesting story and career trajectory.

She began working as a DJ, then she started a hypnosis practice and now she helps people overcome their issues with anxiety. Stephanie is the author of Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom, and it’s such a pleasure to have her on the show. She shares techniques and wisdom to start fighting anxiety with simple practices that anyone can do. She has so much knowledge to share and this episode is packed with wisdom and resources.

Show Notes:

• [03:33] About 20 years ago, Stephanie was a celebrity radio DJ. She developed insomnia and went to the doctor and got a prescription. The prescription worked but only for a short time.
• [04:52] She started researching just for her own sanity. Through her research, she realized that she had struggled with anxiety her entire life.
• [05:22] She started looking for ways to manage her emotions. We can control our emotions by learning new healthy habits.
• [06:02] Stephanie went to coaching school and learned hypnosis. She ended up having a successful hypnosis practice for 10 years.
• [06:22] Most of the people who came to her had issues rooted in anxiety. According to a Gallup survey, Americans are the most stressed people in the world.
• [07:13] Stress, worry, and anger lead to feelings of anxiety. Kids, teens, and young adults are also experiencing crisis levels of anxiety.
• [08:07] Anxious parents have anxious kids.
• [08:40] Signs of anxiety include anger and being controlling. Hopelessness, sleeping, and withdrawing are also signs.
• [10:48] Stephanie's book has 35 techniques for dealing with anxiety, and they are all in alphabetical order. This is intentional because simple shifts create lasting change.
• [12:36] We have to continuously empy the stress bucket with these simple techniques.
• [17:02] Smile and your subconscious mind will think you are happy. Express 3 things you are grateful for first thing in the morning because gratitude is so powerful. It will set the tone for the whole day.
• [20:46] Turn your affirmations into a question. Why am I healthy and well? You’ll start seeing possibilities.
• [24:14] What we focus on becomes our reality. The best way to handle rejection is to shift your focus.
• [25:16] Breathing takes us to the present moment.
• [29:06] Standing in a power pose will give you higher testosterone levels and lower cortisol levels.
• [32:02] Tony Fadell talks about how devices are intentionally addictive and give us a dopamine hit.
• [37:15] Stephanie starts her day with gratitude. She also has a daily yoga practice.
• [40:00] Crossing left and right sides of the brain is balancing.
• [42:26] Adverse childhood experiences can lead to problems later on in life. If you have childhood trauma, you need to do the healing work.
• [45:40] For the next seven days, choose a couple of techniques and practice them.

Links and Resources:

• 5 Easy Ways to Calm Anxiety
  
• Goodbye Anxiety Hello Freedom Stephanie Dalfonzo
  
• Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom
  
• Stephanie Dalfonzo on Instagram
  
• Stephanie Dalfonzo Facebook Page
  
• Stephanie Dalfonzo on LinkedIn
  
• @sdalfonzo on Twitter
  
• Viktor Frankl
  
• Shawn Achor
• Louise Hay
  
• The Book of Afformations: Discovering the Missing Piece to Abundant Health, Wealth, Love, and Happiness
  
• Answers for Modern Communicators
  
• Amy Cuddy Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
  
• Mindfulness In America Summit - Wisdom 2.0
  
• Tony Fadell on Twitter
  
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)