Therapy Mini: What Anxiety Really Is

Because anxiety isn’t “just worrying too much”....  it’s something deeper, and far more human.

When anxiety moves in

Anxiety can creep in quietly, sometimes you don’t even notice it at first.

It might show up as a racing heart before you’ve even opened your eyes in the morning.. a stomach that feels tight for no clear reason.. or that constant sense of being on alert, even when nothing seems “wrong.”

It’s not always the panic attacks people imagine.
Often, it’s smaller moments that build up, the overthinking, the “what ifs,” the feeling that you can’t quite switch off.

Then when someone says, “you just need to relax,” it can make you want to laugh (or cry), because if it were that simple, you’d already be doing it.

What anxiety really is

At its core, anxiety is your body trying to protect you.
It’s the mind’s alarm system; one that sometimes becomes a little too sensitive.
It’s not weakness or failure... it’s your nervous system doing its best to keep you safe, even when the threat isn’t real or immediate.

When life has been full of uncertainty, stress, or constant responsibility (like caring for others, juggling work, or dealing with change!) that alarm can stay switched on for too long and your body forgets how to relax because it’s been on guard for so long.

So instead of seeing anxiety as the enemy, we can begin to understand it as a messenger; one that’s saying, “something here needs your attention.”

What it feels like (and why it’s different for everyone)

For some, anxiety feels like their thoughts are racing so fast they can’t catch them.
For others, it’s exhaustion - the kind that doesn’t shift even after sleep.

It can feel like:

• Tightness in the chest or throat

• Restlessness or fidgeting

• Dizziness or nausea

• Difficulty concentrating

• A constant need to plan, prepare, or predict

You might not always look anxious from the outside, especially if you’re used to holding it together for others. But inside, it can feel like you’re running a marathon with no finish line.

What helps

There’s no quick fix, but there are small steps that help.
Learning to notice your body’s signals instead of fighting them.
Grounding yourself in the present moment.

Talking it through with a counsellor can help you understand where your anxiety comes from, what keeps it going, and how to calm your body’s alarm system.

Closing — An invitation

If anxiety has been part of your story, please know that you’re not broken or “too much.”
You’re responding to life in a way that once kept you safe and it’s possible to find calmer ground again.

If something in this post resonated and you’d like to explore counselling with me, you can get in touch through my contact form here. I’d love to hear from you.

For Every Story | Therapy Mini Series

Therapy Minis are bite-sized blogs by Simone Bell of Simone Bell Counselling. Each post takes an honest look at the thoughts, feelings, and everyday experiences that shape us - because every story matters, including yours.