#427 Resolving Recurrent Unproductive Thoughts and Anxiety David Hanscom, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Send us Fan MailThis week on the Less Stressed Life, Dr. David Hanscom joins me for his 4th appearance to explain why anxiety isn’t psychological—it’s physiological—a survival response that we can learn to regulate, not control. We talk about how unprocessed emotions and repetitive thoughts get stored in the body as pain and how tools like expressive writing, calming the body, and softening the ego help break those loops.You’ll walk away with a new way to think about anxiety, pain, and healing—one that focuses on awareness, compassion, and creating safety in your body so your mind can follow. It’s about rewiring your nervous system, not forcing it.Pre-Order Dr. Hanscom's new book, Calm Your Body, Heal Your Mind: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804971/calm-your-body-heal-your-mind-by-david-hanscom-md/Dr. Hanscom’s past episodes: • Ep 71: Roadmap out of Anxiety and Chronic Pain • Ep 72: Anger & Anxiety in the Family • Ep 325: Overwhelm & PainKEY TAKEAWAYS: • Anxiety and anger are body states, not character flaws • Calm the physiology first; thoughts will follow • Expressive writing helps separate from looping thoughts • Awareness and compassion are core to lasting changeFree resource: Try Dr. Hanscom’s Expressive Writing Exercise (PDF), a foundational tool from The DOC Journey to help calm the nervous system and release looping thoughts. ABOUT GUEST:David Hanscom, MD is a former spine surgeon who left his 32-year practice to help people heal chronic physical and emotional pain. After overcoming his own long struggle with anxiety and pain, he developed Dynamic Healing, a method focused on calming the body’s threat physiology and rewiring the nervous system. He’s the author of Back in Control and the upcoming Calm Your Body, Heal Your Mind (June 2026). WHERE TO GUEST:Websites: https://backincontrol.com/ and https://thedocjourney.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidhanscom/WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionistSPONSOR:Thank you to our friends at Jigsaw Health for being such an incredible sponsor and partner. 😎 If you’re listening during November 2025, use code LESSSTRESSED15 at JigsawHealth.com for 15% off every order. If you’re listening after November 2025, use LESSSTRESSED10 for 10% off anytime.