Overcoming Anxiety
We all feel stressed from time to time.
But if you regularly tie yourself in knots about the big stuff and the small, you may be dealing with anxiety.
The difference between stress and anxiety
From a racing heart to sleepless nights, the effects of stress and anxiety can feel very similar. It’s no wonder people often confuse the two.
Stress symptoms are usually triggered by a specific challenging situation – perhaps work pressures, financial worries, or relationship difficulties – and they typically ease off once the situation resolves. Think of stress as your mind and body’s natural response to external pressures.
Anxiety, however, is a different beast. When you’re experiencing anxiety, the symptoms persist even when there’s no immediate threat or obvious stressor. It’s driven by excessive worrying that can feel almost impossible to control. Your mind might jump from one concern to another, creating a constant state of unease that affects your daily life.
Left unchecked, persistent anxiety can sometimes develop into depression, creating a cycle that feels overwhelming. This is why recognising the signs of anxiety early and seeking support matters so much.
The good news is that anxiety counselling and therapy can help you find effective ways to manage anxious thoughts and move towards lasting inner peace. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
What anxiety feels like
Here are five of the most common symptoms of anxiety:
- Fearfulness about everyday situations
- Tension which may feel like physical tension and muscle tightness
- Persistent nervousness or restlessness
- A sense of impending dread
- Racing thoughts that won’t quiet down
If these feelings sound familiar, therapy could provide the tools and coping strategies you need to feel more like yourself again.
Who experiences anxiety?
Anxiety doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all backgrounds, whether you’re outgoing or reserved, whatever your age or circumstances.
Sometimes anxiety appears after a specific event like job loss or relationship breakdown. Other times, it creeps up gradually without an obvious trigger. You might notice persistent worry that’s harder to switch off, or physical symptoms appearing more frequently.
What’s challenging about anxiety is how isolating it can feel, even though it’s incredibly common. Social anxiety can make connecting with others overwhelming, while generalised anxiety might have you constantly second-guessing yourself.
The good news is that anxiety is very treatable. Whether you’re dealing with mild worry or anxiety that’s significantly impacting your daily life, there are effective ways forward.
If you’re finding it difficult to let go of worries and they’re causing you distress – affecting your sleep, relationships, or enjoyment of life – we’re here to support you. You don’t need everything figured out before reaching out.
Five ways therapy can help you overcome anxiety
- Helps you identify what’s behind your fears. Understanding the root causes of your anxiety is often the first step towards managing it. Through gentle exploration, therapy helps you recognise patterns in your thinking and identify specific triggers that spark anxious feelings.
- Teaches you new ways to relax. Anxiety counselling introduces practical relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and grounding techniques. Learning to calm your nervous system gives you back control when anxiety strikes.
- Shows you how to look at life in a more positive light. Therapy helps you challenge negative thought patterns and develop a more balanced perspective. You’ll learn to recognise when your mind is catastrophising and discover healthier ways to interpret situations.
- Helps you develop better coping strategies. Rather than avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, you’ll build a toolkit of practical coping mechanisms to face challenges with confidence and manage stress more effectively.
- Empowers you to take control. Perhaps most importantly, anxiety therapy helps you reclaim your sense of agency and develop the skills to navigate life’s ups and downs without being overwhelmed by worry.