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Anxiety
Anxiety meaning: what it feels like, what causes it, and how to cope.
What does anxiety mean?
You feel like your brain is running worst-case scenarios on repeat and your body is stuck in alert mode. Anxiety is that persistent worry about the future that makes the present feel unsafe. It's exhausting because you're fighting threats that mostly exist in your mind.
What does anxiety feel like in your body?
- •Tight chest or difficulty breathing deeply
- •Racing heart or heart palpitations
- •Restless legs and inability to sit still
- •Stomach churning or feeling nauseous
Common triggers
- •Upcoming deadlines, exams, or social events
- •Uncertainty about the future: career, relationships, finances
- •Scrolling through news or social media
- •Overthinking past conversations or decisions
Journaling prompts for when you feel anxiety
- What is your anxiety actually about right now, what's the worst-case scenario you're imagining?
- How likely is the thing you're worried about, honestly? What's the most likely outcome?
- What would you tell your best friend if they were feeling this same anxiety?
Healthy ways to cope with anxiety
1. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique: name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste
2. Do a brain dump: write down every single thing worrying you to get it out of your head
3. Box breathing: inhale 4 counts, hold 4 counts, exhale 4 counts, hold 4 counts
Related emotions
Questions people ask about feeling anxiety
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