Dr. Jud on the GOOP Podcast: Ways to Ground Yourself in Uncertain Times

Overview

In this Goop podcast episode, Dr. Jud joins host Elise Loehnen to explore why anxiety spikes during uncertain times and what neuroscience reveals about calming the nervous system. Drawing on his research at Brown University, Dr. Jud frames anxiety as the brain’s response to uncertainty — a survival mechanism that served our ancestors well but can spiral out of control when we are flooded with information and unpredictability.

The conversation covers practical, research-based strategies for regaining a sense of stability. Dr. Jud explains that our brains are built to dislike uncertainty, and that the constant flow of news and social media can overwhelm our threat-detection systems. Rather than relying on willpower to push through panic, he offers simple awareness-based techniques that work with the brain instead of against it.

Key Takeaways

• Check your basic needs first: Before trying to manage anxious thoughts, Dr. Jud recommends asking whether you are hungry, thirsty, or tired. Addressing physiological needs can reduce anxiety by giving the brain concrete, solvable problems.
• Be intentional about news consumption: Our brains treat every alarming headline as a survival signal. Dr. Jud advises setting deliberate limits on media intake rather than passively scrolling, which feeds the anxiety habit loop.
• Use body-based grounding: Simple techniques like focusing on the sensation in the soles of your feet can interrupt a panic spiral by redirecting the brain’s attention from worry to physical awareness. These mindfulness exercises activate the present moment and short-circuit rumination.

Listen to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or online here.

Related Resources

• How Anxiety Becomes a Habit
• Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety and Stress
• Unwinding Anxiety — Dr. Jud’s Book
• What Is the Habit Loop?