Anxiety… What does it mean and what can I do?
Understanding Anxiety: It’s Not Always the Enemy
We hear a lot about anxiety. Most of us experience it regularly, yet we’re often taught to see it as a bad thing. The truth? Anxiety is completely normal—and it even serves an important purpose.
Anxiety is our body and brain’s way of alerting us to a potential threat. It helps heighten our awareness and prepare for action. But anxiety becomes unhelpful when we don’t recognize it for what it is—or when we develop unhealthy ways of coping.
When Anxiety Makes Sense
Let’s say you have a big presentation at work. You’re nervous, uncertain, maybe even feeling physical symptoms like a headache or stomachache. That’s anxiety showing up in a way that makes sense. You care about the outcome, whether that’s a raise, a promotion, or a good performance review.
Your brain is signaling, Hey, this matters—pay attention. This kind of situational anxiety is completely normal and even helpful.
So Why Do We Struggle With It?
It’s not the anxiety itself that’s the problem—it’s how we respond to it. When we’re unaware of our anxiety or use unhelpful coping strategies, things can spiral.
Back to the presentation example:
Healthy coping might include talking to someone, deep breathing, going for a walk, or listening to music.
Unhealthy coping might look like negative self-talk ("I’m a failure"), avoiding the task altogether, or engaging in disordered behaviors like restricting or bingeing.
The difference lies in awareness and choice. The more we can recognize what anxiety feels like—both in our thoughts and in our bodies—the better equipped we are to respond to it with care instead of panic.
Coping Starts With Awareness
Pay attention to how anxiety shows up for you. Is it a tight chest? Racing thoughts? Avoidance behaviors? These clues can help you respond with curiosity and compassion instead of criticism or denial.
And if it feels like too much to manage alone, that’s okay. Therapy can be a supportive space to understand your anxiety, learn healthier coping skills, and feel more grounded day to day.
Let’s Work Through It Together
If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, we’re here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation and begin learning tools to manage anxiety in a way that supports—not limits—your life.
