Ep. 9 - Gambling Stress & Anxiety
Has gambling brought stress and anxiety into your life? You’re not the only one.
Click on the green play button above and hear inspiring conversations with someone who is on the other side of gambling stress and anxiety and a counsellor specializing in addictions and the autonomic nervous system.
If you would like to check out other episodes of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gamblng Problems, click on the red button below. Be sure to subscribe and then you won’t miss out on the latest show.
With patience, practice and a good dose of healthy connections you CAN settle down stress & anxiety .. and feel better
In the previous episode of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, I spoke to Jon about how he was feeling after gambling for more than 30-years. He described feeling exhausted, physically ill and struggling with panic attacks, all the while putting on a pretty convincing show that “all was good.”
Gambling can lead to people being in some really tough situations which will naturally ramp up stress, anxiety and perhaps depression. The good news, according to Lindy Divine, a counsellor specializing in addiction, trauma and our nervous system, is that it can take time to recover but you absolutely can. Jon’s story is a great example of this.
How do I feel better? Decreasing gambling stress and anxiety
Feeling better can happen in waves. Initially you might feel relief after telling someone supportive about the problems that gambling has created for you. There could also be a glimmer of hope when you connect with others who have been through it, or figure out a plan for dealing with money concerns. But, in the beginning there can be a lot on your plate. As Jon told me, during the first year his focus was on stopping gambling. This isn’t easy, Lindy notes, and so it’s not uncommon that it takes awhile for the stress and anxiety to come down.
After a year of staying away from gambling, attending Gamblers Anonymous, counselling and our Discovery program, Jon started to notice he was feeling better about himself. He had this emerging sense of “I’m worth it.”
The power of healthy connections
Lindy explains that our autonomic nervous system (ANS) is soothed through healthy connections. This can happen through talking with supportive others, but also by just showing up and listening. Our ANS loves it when we connect with ourselves, doing even small things that we used to enjoy or found relaxing. In the beginning this isn’t easy and it might not feel the same if you've been both wired up and exhausted. Lindy encourages us to have patience and compassion. With time and practice, you might notice small signs that stress is settling down.
Would you like to learn more tips for settling down anxiety and stress?
Listen to episode nine of Fold em, to learn more from Lindy and Jon about their suggestions for helping your nervous system recover. Tune in now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog or the red “Listen Now” button below.
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors.
If you live in British Columbia and would like to connect with Lindy Devine for free problem gambling counselling, click on the “Connect with Lindy” button below.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website OR click on the red “Learn More” button below.