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Anxiety, a brief description

Get a quick glimpse of anxiety, and I mean quick.

 

We are going to take a super-fast look at anxiety. So, if you are looking for a a brief description on what is anxiety, then you are in the right place.  It is not talked about often and it is usually an emotion that most of us spend the better portion of our lives hiding from and ignoring.

Anxiety in its unhealthy state  is what encourages us to leave an hour early to get to an appointment that’s down the street, what convinces us that we should send another text because maybe something happened and the person didn’t get our last one, or…  five, and what keeps us up in the middle of the night when sleep is waiting and all we can do is think over our to-do list and ponder when would be the best time to run that errand.  Anxiety, it’s everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. 

 

What is anxiety?

 Simply put, anxiety is an emotion that raises your level of alertness. Anxiety says: “Hey, pay attention!”

 

Who has anxiety? 

Everyone, yes- you heard me correctly, EVERYONE HAS ANXIETY. I don’t mean that everyone has an anxiety disorder, just that everyone will experience anxiety from time to time throughout their lives. Anxiety is biological, genetic and environmental and some humans are more predisposed to struggling with anxiety based on their own mix of these things.

 

Why does anxiety exist? 

Anxiety is a survival response. Anxiety shows up when there is some type of threat or perceived threat to help us focus on and deal with that threat. 

 

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Why is anxiety taboo?

There are several reasons people don’t talk about anxiety and avoid feeling their own anxiety. There are personal and cultural beliefs that create difficulty in expressing anxiety on top of making anxiety sound unnatural and bad. Reasons to avoid or refrain from acknowledging anxiety are different for every person and it is helpful to know what makes anxiety taboo for you. 

 

Where is anxiety experienced? 

Anxiety is experienced in the mind and the body. Each person will experience that differently, so it can be hard to tell when you or others are having anxiety because it doesn’t look the same for everyone. There isn’t a standard. Some people’s palms get sweaty while others tense their shoulders while others are doing both and you guessed it, other people are doing neither. Not clarifying information however it does go to show that the way you experience anxiety is shared by someone else even if you don’t know that person. People are experiencing anxiety like you even if the people you are closest to aren’t or don’t seem to me. 

 

How does anxiety happen? 

 

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This is a part of the stress response cycle, though you might have heard of it as the “fight or flight response” but we aren’t going to dive into that topic today.  

Remember that you are not alone in experiencing anxiety, we all have it. Every person’s anxiety looks different so keep in mind that even though you don’t see someone showing anxiety in the same way that you do it doesn’t mean they are immune. You are not alone in struggling with anxiety and that is an important reminder to have.  

 

I look forward to hearing from you and hope this helps you as you take your own powerful and transformative journey. Per usual take what fits for you, leave what does not, and join me next time. Until then let’s stay social 🙂

 

*This content is not a substitute for professional advice, treatment, diagnosis, or similar. Do not delay seeking medical advice or treatment because of this content. For any concerns about your mental health consult your medical professionals. For more on this disclaimer.  

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About the author

I’m Beatriz Stanley, a therapist, yoga instructor and mental health expert.

I help humans create healthy connections with themselves and others by guiding them to own their story, set boundaries, and ask for what they need.

About the author

Beatriz Stanley is a therapist, yoga instructor and mental health expert.
I help humans create healthy connections with themselves and others by guiding them to own their story, set boundaries, and ask for what they need.

About the author

I’m Beatriz Stanley, a therapist, yoga instructor and mental health expert.

I help humans create healthy connections with themselves and others by guiding them to own their story, set boundaries, and ask for what they need.