“Anxiety and stress are closely connected, but they can feel very different. Below you’ll find an explanation to help you better understand what you may be experiencing”.
Understanding Anxiety…
Anxiety can feel overwhelming… and at times, very confusing. You may find yourself overthinking, worrying about things that haven’t even happened, or feeling a sense of fear that you can’t quite explain.
Your heart may race.
Your chest may feel tight.
Your mind may feel like it just won’t switch off.
And often, the biggest question is…
“Why do I feel like this?”
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You’re Not Alone…
Anxiety is far more common than you may realise. But when you’re in it… it can feel very isolating.
Anxiety is closely linked to stress, and often the two go hand in hand. If you would like to understand more about how stress builds within the mind and body, you can also visit my Stress page.
You might feel:
- Constantly on edge
- Unable to relax
- Overwhelmed by your thoughts
- Fearful of situations you used to cope with
- Stuck in a cycle you don’t know how to break
And sometimes… there doesn’t even seem to be a clear reason for it.
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Why Does Anxiety Happen? …
Anxiety begins with a thought. That thought creates a feeling… and that feeling creates a physical response in the body.
Your subconscious mind stores every experience you’ve ever had — especially the ones that carried strong emotion.
When something feels similar to a past experience, your mind “pattern matches” and responds automatically… believing it is protecting you. This is where anxiety comes from. Not because something is wrong with you…
But because your mind has learned a response.
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The Body’s Response…
When anxiety is triggered, your body moves into what is known as the Fight, Flight or Freeze response.
This is your body’s natural way of protecting you.
Your heart rate increases.
Your breathing changes.
Your body becomes alert.
This is helpful if you are in real danger…
But with anxiety, this response can be triggered by:
- Thoughts
- Memories
- Worry about the future
- Situations that feel overwhelming
Over time, the body can begin to stay in this state more often than it should.
And that’s when anxiety can start to feel constant.
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The Cycle of Anxiety…
The more we notice the feeling… the more we think about it… the more we try to fight it… the stronger it can seem.
This creates a cycle:
Thought → Feeling → Physical Response → More Thought
And before you know it, it feels like it’s taken over.
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The Good News…
Anxiety is something that has been learned. Which means… it can also be unlearned.
You are not broken. Your mind is simply doing what it believes is right for you. And with the right approach, this can change.
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How Hypnotherapy Can Help…
Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind — the part of the mind where these patterns are created and stored (see The Mind).
In a relaxed state, we can begin to:
- Calm the body’s response
- Change the way the mind reacts to triggers
- Reduce overthinking
- Create a sense of control and calm
Your subconscious mind does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. So when guided in the right way, we can begin to create new, more positive responses — allowing your mind and body to feel safe again.
I often describe it as updating the “program” your mind is running. And when that program changes… everything else can begin to change too.
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For a deeper understanding of how stress patterns develop in the mind and body, you may also find my Stress page helpful.
Moving Forward…
If you are experiencing anxiety, please know this:
It is not something you have to “just live with”. Change is possible.
I understand how real and intense anxiety can feel, and I offer a safe, supportive and understanding space to help you work through it. You don’t have to do this on your own.
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Take the First Step…
If you would like to find out more about how hypnotherapy can help with anxiety, please get in touch via the Contact Form.
I would be more than happy to have a chat with you.
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Michelle Townsend
Harmony Life Balance
C.Hyp, D.Hyp, C.I.H, I.H.A, CNHC Registered