Anxiety is something most of us experience at different points in our lives. It's our body's way of alerting us to danger or preparing us to deal with something challenging. But when that feeling of alertness becomes constant - when it starts to take over your thoughts, emotions, or decisions - it can begin to feel overwhelming and exhausting.
You might find yourself stuck in cycles of worry, overthinking everything, or second-guessing every decision because of the "what ifs". Maybe you lie awake at nigh, unable to switch off your thoughts, or wake each morning already feeling tense or on edge. For some people, anxiety shows up as restlessness or irritability. For others, it can feel like dread, panic, or an uneasy sense that something bad is about to happen.
Whatever form it takes, anxiety can make daily life harder than it needs to be - and it can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and from the life you want to live.
What Anxiety Can Look Like
Anxiety shows up differently for everyone. It can affect how we think, feel, behave and even how our bodies function.
- In your thoughts, anxiety might sound like constant worry, self-criticism, or replaying conversations and scenarios over and over.
- Emotionally, it might feel like fear, guilt, or a sense of unease that you can't quite name.
- Physically, it can appear as a racing heart, tight chest, difficulty breathing, tense muscles, or trouble sleeping.
- Behaviourally, it may lead to avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable or uncertain.
These reactions are part pf our natural "fight, flight, or freeze" response - our body's way of protecting us from danger. The problem is that when this response is triggered too often, it can leave us feeling constantly on alert, even when there's no real threat.
How Anxiety Affects the Whole Self
Anxiety doesn't just affect the mind. It impacts the whole self - emotionally, physically, and even spiritually.
- Mentally, it can make it difficult to focus or make decisions, and can drain your energy.
- Emotionally, it can leave you feeling isolated or disconnected from others, as though no one would truly understand what you're going through.
- Physically, long-term anxiety can take a toll on your body, leading to fatigue, muscle pain, digestive issues, or sleep problems.
- On a deeper level, anxiety can make you feel like you've lost touch with who you are, or the things that used to bring you joy and meaning.
When anxiety becomes part of your everyday life, it can feel like it's taken control - but it doesn't have to stay that way.
Where Anxiety Comes From
There isn't one single cause of anxiety. For some, it might be linked to past experiences or trauma. For others, it may come from ongoing stress at work, in relationships, or from changes and uncertainty in life. Sometimes anxiety builds up gradually over time, while other times it can appear suddenly and feel difficult to understand.
In my work with clients, I often see how anxiety can be a signal - a wat your mind and body are trying to communicate that something needs care and attention. When we take the time to listen to that message in a safe and supportive space, it becomes possible to understand what your anxiety is really about.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling offers a space to slow down, breathe, and begin to make sense of what's happening. Together, we can explore what your anxiety feels like for you, where ot might have come from, and what it's trying to tell you.
In our sessions, we'll work to:
- Identify your triggers and patterns of anxious thinking.
- Understand how your past experiences may be influencing your present worries.
- Develop tools and strategies that help you manage anxiety when it arises - such as grounding techniques, breathing exercises, or ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts.
- Build self-awareness and compassion for yourself, so that instead of fighting against anxiety, you can respond to it differently.
My approach is about helping you reconnect with your own sense of safety and trust - in yourself and in your ability to cope with life's challenges.
Moving Forward
If anxiety has been taking up too much space in your life, please know that there is support available. You don't have to face it alone. Through counselling, you can begin to understand your anxiety, learn practical ways to manage it, and start to feel more grounded and in control of your life again.
Change doesn't happen overnight, but with time and care, it's absolutely possible. Together, we can work toward helping you feel more settled, present, and able to live the life you want - one step at a time.
I offer all new clients a free initial phone call, giving us a chance to have an informal chat about what's bringing you to counselling and how we might work together. It's an opportunity for you to ask any questions and decide if I feel like the right fit for you before committing to sessions. You have the option to see me face to face in Plympton, Plymouth, online via zoom and I also offer telephone counselling.
If you'd like to arrange a call or find out more, please don't hesitate to get in touch via my website www.oceansbreezecounselling.co.uk - I'd be happy to hear from you.
