"Anxiety is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far." - Jodi Picoult
Understanding Anxiety: When Worry Won’t Turn Off
Anxiety is a natural part of being human. At its best, it’s like an internal alarm system - it keeps us safe, alert, and aware when something important needs our attention. But when that alarm stays on too long or goes off too often, anxiety can shift from helpful to overwhelming.
Persistent anxiety can range from mildly distracting to completely exhausting. For some, it shows up as racing thoughts or a constant sense of worry. For others, it might feel more like restlessness, tension, or difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep. Even if it’s not stopping you from living your life, ongoing anxiety can quietly wear you down.
Anxiety Hiding as Stress
Many people don’t realize that what they’re experiencing is anxiety, especially when it doesn’t look like panic attacks or severe distress. I often hear people describe it as “just stress.” And while stress is something we all go through from time to time, feeling stressed all the time might be a sign that your anxiety has become more constant than it should be.
Anxiety can show up in ways we don’t always recognize. You might replay conversations or worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. You may have trouble falling asleep or feel stuck in your head, unable to let go of certain thoughts.
Help for Anxiety
The good news is that anxiety is manageable. There are many evidence-based tools and approaches that can help from therapy and mindfulness practices to breathing techniques and lifestyle changes. We can work together to help your anxiety return to what it was designed to be: a helpful guide, not a constant burden.
If you’re feeling stuck in worry or stress that won’t go away, know that you’re not alone and that things can get better. You deserve support, and you don’t have to carry that weight by yourself.