Anxiety Basics: Calming the Noise, Reclaiming Your Calm

Anxiety Basics: Calming the Noise, Reclaiming Your Calm | Serebro Health Workshop (28 & 30 Jul 2026) Anxiety isn't a character flaw, it's a nervous system doing its job a little too well. In this workshop, Elissa Herrington, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at Serebro Health, walks through what anxiety actually is, why it develops, how it shows up in the body, and the evidence-based strategies she uses with clients. Elissa spent over fifteen years as an HR leader before moving into psychotherapy, and she shares openly about her own experience with anxiety and burnout. Expect real research alongside real humanity, plus a guided breathing exercise you can practice along with the video. What's covered A guided 6-3-9 breathing exercise (inhale 6, hold 3, exhale 9) Anxiety vs. everyday stress, and why the distinction matters Why anxiety develops: genetics, GABA and neurotransmitters, early life experience, hustle culture, sleep, social media What's happening in the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the fight-or-flight response Three coping patterns the research flags as unhelpful: avoidance, self-blame, substance use Five evidence-based strategies: exercise, relaxing activities, the foundations (food, water, sleep, connection), self-compassion, and mindfulness techniques including breathwork, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding, tapping, and humming Chapters 00:00 Anxiety Basics: Calming the Noise, Reclaiming Your Calm 00:02 Introduction 06:42 Understanding Anxiety 17:23 How Anxiety Shows Up 27:48 Evidence Based Coping Strategies 47:53 Resources and Support Working with us Serebro Health supports anxiety, burnout, ADHD, trauma, and grief, with particular focus on military families, caregivers, and working professionals. Virtual appointments across Canada, in-person in Petawawa, and direct billing to most insurance providers. Book a free consultation: https://serebrohealth.ca This workshop is educational and is not a substitute for individual psychotherapy, diagnosis, or medical advice.