Retreat - When to Step Back from Anxiety (2 Minute Read)
Daniel Crosby • October 23, 2023

We already said that sometimes we need to push past DISCOMFORT and not let it keep us from doing what is right and good for us.


Other times it may be healthier to RETREAT from the situation that is provoking our anxiety. I use the word RETREAT because it is temporary. We RETREAT now so we can charge forward later.


Here are 4 times when RETREATING from anxiety is the better option:


1. PROMOTING SELF-CARE: Retreating from anxiety can be a form of self-care. Some companies are beginning to require that their employees use up their vacation every year rather than save it. They know that to be at our best we need to get away sometimes. After vacation, we reenter the work world ready to press on.


2. PROBLEM-SOLVING: Retreating from anxiety temporarily can lead to improved problem-solving skills when you return to address the issues with a clearer mind. My 3rd grade teacher gave us a word search to do one day but I couldn’t find that last stinkin’ word. She said, “Just put it down and come back to it later and you’ll find that last word.” She was right! It was right there staring me in the face!


3. PREPARATION: Retreating can be a healthy timeout before intentionally confronting a stressful situation. If I know I’m going to have a particularly stressful day, I prepare. I watch my favorite relaxing show the night before, get to bed on time, and eat a healthy dinner and breakfast. Arguing with your daughter about the length of her skirt then slamming 3 cups of coffee and a Big Mac right before a big job interview probably isn’t going to improve your performance.


4. PEOPLE: Retreating to connect with friends, family, or a good counselor during anxious periods can provide comfort and understanding, which can help alleviate anxiety. Safe people can recharge us so we can step back into the fray and fight more effectively. Just like your phone, you’re at your best when you’re plugged in, connected, and have a full charge.


All 4 of these should be done intentionally and with a plan. We’re NOT burying our head in the sand or avoiding. We’re strategically retreating so we can live to fight better another day.


HOMEWORK:

Go back to your list of anxiety struggles. Which ones so you need to keep pressing in on and which ones should you temporarily retreat from? Make a note of which is which. Come up with a plan for and put a time limit on your retreat items for when you will reengage.


Every day I help hurting frazzled people by walking with them as they get back on the path toward becoming who God created them to be. Shoot me an email if there’s anything I can do to help you or someone you know.

Depression and Professional Help

By Daniel Crosby • October 27, 2025
Depression + Professional Help So the big questions is: “How do I know when it’s time to go see a counselor about depression? When is it beyond just trying self-help strategies?” Only you know how you’re feeling internally but here are some signs that it’s time to reach out: • Suicidal thoughts – Call or Text 988 Immediately! • Can’t function with work – You don’t care that there may be consequences for poor performance and you’re slacking on deadlines • Parenting – You’ve given up on typical caretaking duties like healthy meals, cleaning up, or setting healthy boundaries with the kids • Finances – You have a “screw it” mentality where you stop budgeting and just spend to try to find happiness OR You stop paying bills altogether • Hygiene – Your personal hygiene tanks and you don’t care about brushing your teeth, bathing, wearing deodorant, etc. • Isolation – You’ve consistently been avoiding others and turning down attempts of friends and family to pull you out of your slump • Significant change in the way you normally function day to day Call a therapist if you want… • Accountability • An outside perspective • To dig deeper into the “why” • A judgement free zone • New ideas to try Before beginning medication, ask these questions: • “Hey doc! What is your philosophy on prescribing? (Conservative, Experimental, etc?) • “Hey doc! Is there a time limit to how long you will keep me on this medication? • “Hey doc! How will you be measuring how my progress and when to raise/lower dosage and begin or discontinue a medication?” • “Do I feel at peace with how the Dr. explained this medication?” • “Did the Dr. have the heart of a teacher or were they quick to prescribe without hearing me out?” • “Did the Dr. take time with me or rush in and rush out? • “Have I done my own research on the medications the Dr. is recommending?” Homework: If you’re not sure about any of the above, give me a call. I’ll happily do a FREE 15 Minute Consultation Call whether you want to come to see me or not. I’ll give you my professional opinion about what might be the next right step.

Depression and Stagnation

By Daniel Crosby • October 20, 2025
Depression + Stagnation What do you do when you’re doing all the right things and still feel depression lingering? Depression isn’t an on/off switch that goes away overnight. It rarely gets better in an instant. There’s a progression to it. If you’re investing in some of the things we’re talking about in this series CONSISTENTLY then you’ll probably see some positive changes over time. In the meantime, try these ideas to help boost you out of your stagnation that you’re feeling. 1. Acknowledge progress over perfection. You didn’t get here overnight. Where did you begin and where are you now? What has improved? 2. Go serve someone else in a new way – Focusing on others is a good way to boost the way you feel about yourself. 3. Consider a shock to the system. A trip to a new place, a different therapist, a new hobby, a job change, or making a new friend can all make us feel alive again if we’re stagnant. Homework: Finish this statement: “In the last week, the thing I’m the most proud of myself for doing is_______.”
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Depression and Sleep Strugles

By Daniel Crosby • October 13, 2025
Depression + Sleep Struggles Sleep is one of the biggest struggles we face when we’re depressed. Oddly enough the diagnosis manual says “Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day” as one of the symptoms. Whether you can’t sleep at all or you’re sleeping all the time it can really rock your world. Maybe your mind is just spinning with all the jumble of thoughts in your head. Or maybe you have no energy and you’re struggling to just do the basics before going back to bed. Here are 3 ideas to get the sleep routine back on track: 1. Create a predictable wind-down ritual – Early dinner, Herbal tea, Warm bath, Good smelling lotion, Clean sheets and jammies. 2. Try “brain dump” journaling at night – Write down today’s wins and loses as well as tomorrow’s worries so your brain can let go of those things. You can relax better without ruminating on it because it’s written down. 3. Avoid doom scrolling— Replace screens with audio or soft light activity. Soothing. Uplifting reading. Devotional. Positive in/Positive out. If you must watch TV make sure it’s an emotion that competes with depression (funny!) Homework: Try a new bedtime strategy tonight and notice if it helps you wind down a little easier. Your brain and body will thank you tomorrow morning.