Feeling anxious about heading back to school? You’re not alone. Whether you’re starting high school, college, or anything in between, the mix of new classes, new people, and unknown expectations can make your anxiety skyrocket.

In this episode of Block Out the Noise, Jessica Davis (licensed therapist, mindset coach, and creator of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method) shares seven practical, less-talked-about strategies to help you face the first weeks of school with confidence.

From creating a powerful playlist to grounding yourself with a comfort item, these tips go beyond the usual “just breathe” advice—and can help you start your school year with more calm and control.

🎒 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to visualize your day going right to reduce anxiety
• Why your playlist might be making you more anxious (and how to fix it)
• The surprising benefit of carrying a small comfort item
• How to create a “secret mantra” to shift your mindset instantly
• Why practice is key to easing first-week nerves
• How a morning pep talk can change your mood for the entire day
• How AI can be a quick emotional check-in when you need it most

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

📱 Follow Us:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads

🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.

You finally crawl into bed, exhausted. Your body is ready—but your mind won’t stop.

Suddenly you’re replaying every conversation from the day. Worrying about tomorrow. Overthinking the rest of your life.

It’s like your brain waits for the world to quiet down… just so it can turn up the volume.

In this episode of Block Out the Noise, licensed therapist Jessica Davis (creator of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method) breaks down why anxiety hits hardest at night—and what you can actually do about it.

Whether you’re stuck in racing thoughts, waking up from panic dreams, or dreading bedtime altogether… this episode gives you practical, powerful tools to finally find rest again.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why anxiety ramps up at night (and what to do about it)
• The science-backed power of scheduling “worry time” before bed
• What to do when your thoughts are spiraling and you can’t fall asleep
• A surprising reason to get out of bed (even when you're exhausted)
• The countdown trick that helps your brain shift from panic to peace
• How to respond with self-compassion when your brain won’t shut off

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

📱 Follow Us:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads

🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.

This is the final part of our 3-part series on the 21 things every anxious teen needs to hear—and these last seven will stay with you.

In this episode, Jessica Davis (licensed therapist + creator of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method) dives into the deeper truths teens and young adults often wrestle with silently—like people-pleasing, self-love, setting boundaries, and what it actually means to rest or start over.

If you've ever felt like you're trapped by who others expect you to be or like you've missed your chance to feel better—this episode reminds you: you are never too late to begin again.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why labels and expectations from others can keep you stuck—and how to let go of them
• What happens when you try to please everyone (and how to stop)
• The truth about rest: why you don’t have to earn it
• Why challenging yourself in small ways can change everything
• How loving yourself impacts every area of your life
• That you’re allowed to change your mind—and your direction
• The power of starting again, even after mistakes

🌟 Resource Highlight: Sherri S. Wick, LCPC | Divine Continuing Education

If you’re a therapist looking for meaningful continuing education that actually prioritizes YOU—your peace, your healing, and your whole self—check out divine-ce.com.

Sherri S. Wick, LCPC, speaker and founder of Divine Continuing Education, is on a mission to redefine rest, reclaim your voice, and equip mental health professionals through training rooted in the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Her work is honest, refreshing, and grounded in what really matters.

👉 Therapists, this is your sign to sign up and hear her speak: divine-ce.com

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

📱 Follow Us:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads

🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.