Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Use Positive Self-Talk to Reduce Anxiety Immediately

We all have an inner voice. Sometimes it’s a cheerleader, but when you struggle with anxiety, it’s usually a critic. For many of us, when anxiety kicks in, that voice can go from neutral to harsh in seconds, feeding us negative messages that only make things worse. But what if we could turn that inner voice into a supportive one, especially in moments of stress? That's where positive self-talk comes in.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Rewire Negative Thinking: From “Have To” to “Get To”

I think we’ve all had moments where life feels like an endless to-do list. Sometimes, it’s not even the big stuff that feels daunting; it’s the small, daily tasks that pile up and weigh us down. After a long day at work, the thought of taking the dog for a walk, making dinner, or even folding laundry can feel exhausting. But what if there was a way to approach these tasks that actually left us feeling lighter, maybe even grateful? Let’s talk about reframing tasks from “having to do something” to “getting to do something.”

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

What to Do If You Have a Fear of Flying – Without the Xanax and White Knuckles

Many people experience fear when they fly, even if they understand that statistically, it’s one of the safest ways to travel. Fear of flying, or aviophobia, can create significant stress, from nervous anticipation days before a trip to full-blown panic during turbulence. Thankfully, there are effective, science-backed techniques to make the experience easier. This blog will explore why fear of flying happens, and break down tools that can help you manage it, allowing you to fly with more serenity.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

Why You Keep Feeling Overwhelmed: The Window of Tolerance Explained

Have you ever noticed how sometimes you feel like you can handle stress with ease, while other times even the smallest thing can send you over the edge? It’s not just about how much coffee you’ve had that day or how busy your schedule is—this has a lot to do with something called the "window of tolerance."

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Tell If You Have High-Functioning Anxiety and What to Do About It

High-functioning anxiety is a term often used to describe people who appear to be killing it on the outside (successful, put together, well spoken, etc), but on the inside they're dealing with a constant undercurrent of worry, stress, or fear. It’s a strange concept because while anxiety is generally thought of as something that interferes with daily life, in the case of high-functioning anxiety, people can continue to work, socialize, and manage their responsibilities. In fact, they might even seem more productive and successful than others.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Practical Strategies to Reclaim Your Confidence

In the last two parts of this series, I explored what Imposter Syndrome is and where it comes from. I talked about how family of origin, social comparisons, and perfectionism can fuel feelings of self-doubt, and I examined how these roots shape the belief that we’re not good enough. Now that you have a solid understanding of the problem, it’s time to focus on the solution. This final part will give you practical tools and mindset shifts to help you overcome Imposter Syndrome and take back your confidence.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

The Origins of Imposter Syndrome: Understanding Where Self-Doubt Comes From (Part 2)

In Part 1, we explored what Imposter Syndrome is, how it manifests in different ways, and why so many high-achievers feel like they don’t deserve their success. Now, it’s time to dig into why these feelings arise in the first place. Imposter Syndrome doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it often has deep roots in our past experiences, family dynamics, and the way we see the world.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Stop Assuming the Worst: Understanding Anxiety’s Impact on Your Relationships

Have you ever caught yourself in a situation where, despite evidence to the contrary, you’re absolutely convinced things are going to go wrong? Maybe you didn’t get a quick reply to a text, so you assume the person’s mad at you, or a project at work hits a snag, and suddenly you’re sure your boss is planning to fire you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This tendency to assume the worst is often linked to anxiety, and while it might feel like you’re just being cautious or realistic, there’s a deeper reason your brain defaults to this.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Calm Your Mind: A Deep Dive into DBT’s Most Powerful Tools

Navigating intense emotions and distress can feel overwhelming at times. Trust me, I’ve been there. But what if I told you there’s a way to not only survive those tough moments but actually come out the other side feeling more grounded and in control? That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, comes in. This is the final blog in my series about DBT, and this week I'm diving into four key DBT skills that can make a huge difference: mindfulness, positive self-talk, self-soothing, and radical acceptance.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How to Reduce Emotional Overwhelm: DBT Techniques Explained

When we’re faced with overwhelming emotions, it’s natural to want to find ways to quickly escape the discomfort. Whether it’s stress from work, tension in relationships, or simply the pressures of daily life, intense feelings can make us act in ways that we later regret. This is where Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, comes into play. Developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s, DBT was initially created to help people with borderline personality disorder, but it’s now widely used for a variety of mental health issues, especially when it comes to managing strong emotions.

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Kristen Jacobsen Kristen Jacobsen

How DBT Transforms Anxiety and Anger: A Deep Dive into Emotional Regulation

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself stuck in emotional quicksand at some point—whether it’s anxiety that keeps you up at night, anger that seems impossible to control, or overwhelming sadness that clouds your days. Emotions, while a natural part of life, can sometimes feel like they’re running the show, leaving you desperate for some sense of control. That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in. I want to dive deep into what DBT is, how it works, and why it’s become such an important tool for managing emotions.

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