Feeling anxious from time to time is part of being human—but when worry, tension, or restlessness start to take over your thoughts or body, anxiety can begin to feel like it’s running the show. Anxiety often shows up as both mental and physical symptoms, affecting how we think, feel, and move through the world.
Anxiety can feel like your mind and body are constantly on alert—racing thoughts, tightness in your chest, difficulty relaxing, or feeling “on edge” even when things seem fine. While anxiety is a natural response to stress, it can become overwhelming when it begins to shape how you think, feel, and move through your day.
Understanding Anxiety: The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Understanding Anxiety: The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Understanding Anxiety: The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
From a cognitive-behavioral lens, anxiety is often future-focused—your mind becomes preoccupied with what might happen, replaying “what if” thoughts and worst-case scenarios. This can create a spiral of anxiety:
- A stressful thought or situation triggers worry.
- The body reacts with physical tension, fear, or restlessness.
- You might try to avoid the feeling by controlling or avoiding certain situations.
- The temporary relief reinforces the worry cycle, keeping anxiety active.
Over time, this pattern can leave you feeling stuck, powerless, or out of control of your thoughts and emotions. Many people describe anxiety as feeling “on edge,” “unable to relax,” or “out of control” of their thoughts and body. Therapy helps you recognize this spiral, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop more balanced, grounded ways of responding.
The Mind–Body Connection: A Holistic Perspective
Understanding Anxiety: The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Understanding Anxiety: The Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Anxiety doesn’t just live in the mind—it’s also held in the body and nervous system. When you feel threatened or overwhelmed, your body automatically activates its stress response (the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode). This can look and feel like:
- Muscle tension—particularly tightness in the chest or shoulders or teeth grinding at night
- Racing heart or shallow breathing
- Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or relaxing
- Stomach discomfort, headaches, or fatigue
- Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
From a holistic perspective, these physical sensations are your body’s way of trying to protect and alert you. Healing anxiety involves learning how to calm the nervous system so your body and mind can begin to feel safe again. Gentle grounding, breathwork, mindfulness, and awareness practices help bring balance back to the system and begin to calm the body—creating space for stillness and relief.