Life Without Anxiety

Break the endless cycle of worry and fear

How does anxiety arise? What triggers it, and what does anxiety trigger in turn? Why do we get stuck in vicious circles of worry and fear?

We present a guide on how to break free from the endless cycle of worry and fear driven by anxiety, addiction and habit. In a clear, step-by-step manner, the author describes a process that has proven effective in his clinical practice.

A book that instantly became a New York Times bestseller.

We fall prey to anxiety at every turn. We are overwhelmed and stressed – whether we are facing public problems, like a pandemic, or purely personal ones, like raising children and the nightly struggle with a craving for wine.

Most of us think of anxiety as an unpleasant feeling that can vary in intensity – from mild uneasiness to uncontrollable panic. But that's not all – anxiety is also the engine that drives habits and bad habits that our brain maintains in the belief that they help us cope better with life (such habits can include overeating, procrastination, escaping to social media, obsessively scrolling through bad news, etc.). Moreover, anxiety arises in the part of the brain that resists rational thought.

We often cannot get out of the vicious cycle of the anxiety habit through thought or willpower alone. In his book, Judson Brewer helps us to map out our bad habits and their triggers and presents effective exercises based on curiosity and mindfulness, thanks to which we can breathe freely again.

This book is the result of twenty years of research and work with thousands of patients, including Olympic athletes and coaches, as well as prominent figures in politics and business. It is a clear programme that is focused on practical solutions and can be used by any of us to combat our own anxiety.

“One of the hardest things about breaking a bad habit is dealing with the anxiety that’s behind it. Jud Brewer has given us a breakthrough programme with great tips and hacks that anyone can use to feel better. We all need this book!”

—BJ Fogg, PhD, author of the New York Times bestseller Tiny Habits

“Unwinding Anxiety is a step-by-step guide to Judson Brewer's personally designed, clinically proven path that can free your mind from anxiety, obsessive thinking, addiction, and more. It guides your brain to a useful rewiring because it inspires your mind to a deeper understanding of its inner processes and to live with more freedom, gratitude, interpersonal connection, and joy.”

—Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of Mindsight and The Mindful Therapist

“You can’t thrive if you’re constantly anxious. It’s that simple. Jud Brewer has given us a plan that can help us uproot our anxious thoughts, feelings, and habits and create genuine well-being. A total game changer.”

—Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

“Based on the best of current science and utterly user-friendly, Unwinding Anxiety reveals how a powerful set of mindfulness tools can free us from the worry that rules our lives. This is the most helpful and informative book on anxiety I’ve read!”

—Tara Brach, Ph.D, author of Radical Acceptance

“An incredibly accessible and practical guide to anxiety. Judson Brewer’s research has contributed massively to our understanding of why anxiety is so hard to shake. This book gives us the tools to break free. Anxiety is at the root of so many of the habits we want to change. Unwinding Anxiety will not only help you deal with anxiety, but also help you find freedom from the behaviours that are holding you back.”

—Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Willpower Instinct