Understanding Anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety at times. Feeling stressed and anxious is a normal response to challenging situations that arise in daily life. However, too much anxiety can have a negative impact on your health and well-being.  

Everyone reacts to anxiety differently, so it is important to take some time to reflect on what you are experiencing and understand your own emotions. As difficult as it can be, remember to be kind to yourself and reach out for support if you need it.  

You are likely familiar with the “classic” symptoms of anxiety – the ones we hear about more often or see depicted in media. These include the more obvious signs that our body is in fight, flight, or freeze mode, such as a rapid heartbeat, fast breathing, butterflies in the stomach, racing thoughts, and breaking into a sweat. But not everyone will experience anxiety this way or the same way every time.  

Other signs and symptoms of anxiety can include:  

Sometimes there is an obvious situation or event that will cause you to be anxious. Public speaking and job interviews, for example, make many people very anxious. Significant changes in the workplace or projects that are not clearly defined can also create feelings of anxiety for many people. Sometimes positive changes, such as a job promotion or new opportunity, can also cause anxiety.