246. Running on Anxiety - Is Your Digital Screen Making it Worse with Jennie Ketcham Crooks

Are you constantly feeling anxious before a challenging workout or a race? Wondering if your digital screen is making it worse?

Today’s guest is Jennie Ketcham Crooks, who is a licensed clinical social worker, anxiety specialist and author of LOOK UP: The 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real Life Maximalism. The book guides readers through 30 consecutive days of evidence-based interventions for managing our out-of-control digital consumption to improve our meaningful real-world connections and better align our actions with our values.

As our digital overconsumption continues to be fed with the release of each shiny new gadget and screaming fast app, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to put down our screens and interact meaningfully with the world and people around us. This constant barrage of digital engagement negatively affects both the quality of our relationships and our mental health.

However, all hope is not lost; Jenny’s expertise gives us actionable ways to adjust our behavioral patterns toward healthier digital habits.

In this episode, we discuss how the relentless allure of digital screens throttles our creativity and heightens our anxiety, the concept of psychological inflexibility as the cornerstone of our digital habits, and how to develop more mindful behaviors around interacting with our devices.

If you are currently anxious or feel like you are spending way too much time in front of your screen and it's affecting your relationship with running or your personal relationships, this is the episode for you!

We cover these topics and so much more!

- Why Jennie felt compelled to address digital overconsumption

- Generalized anxiety disorder vs. performance anxiety

- The surprising impacts of digital overuse

- Mental health, interpersonal relationships and digital overuse

- Reducing digital clutter can spark more creativity

- LOOK UP: The 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real Life Maximalism book

- How does the 30-day challenge unfold and what are the rules?

- First step recommendation on limiting digital overuse

- Success stories who've transformed their relationship with their devices

- What does world mental health day mean to Jennie

- Misconception about anxiety

Listen to my previous episode about healthy mindset tips for runners here!

Listen to my previous episode about why I quit my job to pursue my passion without anxiety here!

Listen to my previous episode about mantras and mental health strategies for race day here!

Follow along with my 25 minute strength training routine for runners here!

There are 6-steps to growing as a runner and mindset is one of them! Learn all six within this FREE e-book!

Want a stronger mind and running body so you can stay healthy during your next training cycle to crush your running goals?

Get the structured run and strength plan with motivation and accountability to enjoy lifelong injury free running by booking a call and learn more about Healthy Runner coaching here!

Get the full deep dive story on how Duane Scotti became a healthy runner

A big thanks to Naboso for your support for this episode!

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Connect with Jennie Ketcham Crooks:

- Instagram: @becomingjennie

- Website: https://westcoastanxiety.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennie.ketcham

- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennieketchamcrooks/

Connect with Dr. Duane:

- Instagram - @sparkhealthyrunner