5 Things Your Anxiety is Trying to Tell You

One of the most common misconceptions about the human brain is that it's always on your side. While it's true that your brain is constantly striving to protect you, it doesn't always go about that in the most helpful way.

Kind of like the well-meaning aunt who sometimes has a *really* terrible way of expressing their concern... 😬 Yeah, it's like that. After all, anxiety comes from the central nervous system and is one of our oldest, most primal tools that is designed to keep us safe.

Here's a quick recap on how anxiety, the brain, and the nervous system connect:

Remember the fight-flight-freeze response? That's the body's natural survival mechanism triggered by perceived threats. When you experience anxiety, the brain signals the autonomic nervous system to release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This results in heightened anxiety and panic responses, which are designed to prepare the body to confront or escape danger.

Basically, your brain is giving signals that you are in danger. It doesn't know that you're not out there with a bear and that you're actually anxious about socializing at a party. The psychological and physiological response is the same.

Sometimes it's hard to know whether you're having a gut instinct or just being anxious, but they're often related. Even if the brain doesn't always go about this in the best way, there is often some level of wisdom there. If your default response is to try to shove the anxiety away (and if that's you, you're not alone) I want to propose an alternative for you: be curious about what that anxiety might be trying to tell you.

 If you're ready for a perspective shift, let's dive in.

1. Something is unresolved.

Tension in your muscles, nervous butterflies in your gut (not the good kind), feeling on edge in a perfectly normal situation… these are all triggers. And they may be trying to tell you that whatever situation you're in is reminding your subconscious of something that has happened before. If this is happening often, it may be time to explore what feels unresolved and heal those wounds.

What to do: Take note of your triggers. Be aware of what spikes your anxiety and ask yourself if there is healing that needs to be done. 

2. You need a break.

A common solution to feeling dissatisfied is to take on more. If I don't feel fulfilled by X, let's try Y and Z too! This is actually a distraction and is often just a band-aid. If you're feeling restless, on edge, or worried, take note of where those feelings are coming from. It could be a sign that you need to reset and spend a moment away from the many things demanding your attention.

What to do: Allow for small moments throughout the day where you can pause, re-center in some way (breathing, stretching, whatever it is) and acknowledge the importance of rest.

3. Trust your gut.

The age-old question: Is this my gut instinct, or is it anxiety? Sometimes, it's both. Take note of the feelings that are coming up for you and be curious about them rather than push away the discomfort. Are you feeling uncomfortable around someone? Are you feeling drained every time you do a particular thing? Listen to those instincts — it might be your intuition telling you to think carefully about a particular situation or choice.

What to do: Spend some time getting to know what your intuition feels like. How can you tell that you enjoy something, or dislike something? When you flip a coin, do you subconsciously hope for it to land a certain way? Pay attention to those sensations.

4. You want or need more.

It's easy to get stuck in the rut of everyday life. Wake up, work, take care of others, rinse, and repeat. Worrying about the future, questioning if you're “doing enough” and feeling stuck are all signs that your anxiety might be telling you to find something that gives you a greater sense of purpose.

What to do: Explore new hobbies, re-engage with your social relationships, or do something for yourself that invokes meaning or connects to your values.

5. You need to slow down.

When you're constantly going a million miles per hour, it's not uncommon to forget about your own needs or over-extend yourself. Discomfort in your gut, racing thoughts, or feeling stuck in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze are all signs that you might need to slow down.

What to do: Take a deep breath, notice your immediate surroundings, and remind yourself that it's okay to take a moment to re-center. It may be worth re-evaluating your commitments and being honest with yourself about your pace and capacity.

Anxiety often feels “bad” but it usually tells us something on a subconscious level. While you definitely don't want to get sucked into negative or critical self-talk, it can still be helpful to examine the message *behind* the anxiety.