Anxiety

young woman with short hair learning how to calm anxiety in stressful situation

How to calm anxiety in stressful situations

Calming techniques and strategies can help ground you in moments of extreme stress and anxiety. These days, it feels like just being alive qualifies as a stressful situation. Now more than ever, we all need to learn how to calm anxiety and give our overtaxed bodies and minds a much-needed

older woman with slight smile understanding what anxiety means

Why do I have anxiety? The body’s fight or flight response

Learn why anxiety happens and how you can work with anxious feelings in the most constructive way possible. If you have anxiety, you’re probably familiar with how it feels—racing heart, feeling like you can’t breathe, tight muscles, sweating. But what you might not know is that the physical experience of

young man outside showing effects of anxiety on the body

3 surprising effects of anxiety on the body

Ongoing anxiety can impact your whole body, from your brain to your heart, lungs, skin, and hair. Anxiety and stress can have a profound impact on your physical and emotional health. You may already know that too much stress can cause muscle tension and headaches. Plus, it can increase your

man with son playing in field wondering if anxiety is genetic

Can anxiety be genetic? Everything you need to know

Many factors contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, including genetics and family history. If your family members have anxiety, you might be wondering about the chances you’ll experience the same issues. Or maybe you have an anxiety disorder and are concerned about passing it on to your children. Yes, there’s

woman with hand on neck to represent feelings of extreme anxiety

Extreme anxiety: why it’s different & how to work with it

For people who live with extreme anxiety, the experience can be so intense that everyday life feels impossible. Everyone feels anxious sometimes, and many can live and function with mild levels of anxiety. But extreme anxiety is different, especially if it’s chronic. It can be so debilitating that it interferes

young woman with alcohol anxiety looking out window with tea cup

Alcohol & anxiety: why drinking & mental health don’t mix

Many people drink to relax and de-stress, but using alcohol this way can have a significant impact on your mental health. If you experience stress and anxiety, you might turn to alcohol as a way to unwind and relax. And frankly, that strategy makes a lot of sense. Since alcohol

man with hands on chest telling difference between anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety vs. panic attack: how to tell them apart

People often use the words “anxiety” and “panic” interchangeably, but there’s a difference between these terms when it comes to medical diagnosis. In terms of lived experience, the distinction between anxiety attack vs. panic can feel annoyingly semantic. Conversationally, people often use anxiety or panic attacks to describe very similar

woman pushing boulder representing catastrophic anxious thinking

Catastrophizing: 6 ways to recognize and prevent It

Catastrophizing is the tendency to imagine the worst possible outcome. Over time, it can lead to anxiety, negative moods, fear, and avoidance. Despite the brilliance of the human mind, some of our thought patterns can cause emotional pain. One such pattern is called “catastrophizing,” a term coined by psychologist Albert

young woman meditating as relaxing exercise for anxiety

5 relaxing exercises for anxiety to try right now

Anxiety can feel overwhelming and out-of-control. But there are scientifically proven behavioral strategies that can help calm you down fast. In this article, we’ll teach you 5 relaxing exercises that you can use to manage the symptoms of anxiety.  For people with anxiety and depression, purposefully engaging in pleasurable activities