The holidays have a way of stirring up old thoughts, old emotions, and old coping patterns. Family gatherings, financial pressure, grief, loneliness, and anxiety can all collide at once—and when anxiety rises, the mind often reaches for the same “solution” it always has. Porn isn’t the problem. It’s the relief valve we’ve learned to pull when tension feels unbearable.

In this episode of the Free From Porn podcast, Richard Young teaches a simple but powerful practice that changes everything: learning to observe your thoughts instead of fighting them—and relaxing around the feelings they trigger. You’ll discover why resisting or suppressing anxious thoughts actually makes them stronger, how to step out of the mental “roller coaster,” and what it looks like to take thoughts captive by staying present, relaxed, and grounded in Christ.

As you head into the busy Christmas season, this episode will help you:

• Understand why anxiety—not desire—is the real driver behind porn use
• Learn how to observe thoughts without identifying with them
• Practice relaxing your body and nervous system when triggers arise
• Experience how peace replaces compulsion when tension is released
• Walk through the holidays conscious, free, and no longer medicating stress

This isn’t about trying harder or fighting your mind. It’s about learning how to live from peace—where thoughts lose their power, urges pass, and freedom becomes your new normal.