Panic attacks and outward signs of discomfort are not usually indicative of anxiety.
Sometimes they subtly fill your daily life, influencing your ideas, actions, and even your physical appearance without you fully realising it.
Here are five subtle but potent indicators that anxiety may be prevalent in your life if you’ve been feeling “off” but are unsure of why.
1. You overthink everything
Symptoms:
- Do you frequently mentally replay conversations?
- Do you think you said the incorrect thing?
- Or envision the worst-case situations before anything even occurs?
One of the most prevalent symptoms of anxiety is overthinking.
Look Out: Your mind makes predictions in an attempt to keep you safe, but instead it keeps you stuck in a never-ending cycle of “what ifs.”
2. Even while you’re sleeping, you’re restless
Symptom: Your mind doesn’t slow down when you sit down to unwind.
Even when everything appears to be going well, there is a persistent sense of unease.
Look out: An inability to fully relax is a common symptom of anxiety. Calm seems strange because your body remains in a mild “alert mode.”
3. You Find It Hard to Say No
Symptoms:
- You are afraid of disappointing other people.
- You prioritize the comfort of others before your own needs.
- You consent to actions that you would prefer not to take.
Look out: Anxiety, particularly the fear of rejection or conflict, is frequently the source of this people-pleasing inclination.
4. Your body can sense what you feel
Anxiety exists in your body as much as your intellect. You may observe them-
- A lot of headaches
- Tight chest or shoulders
- Weariness
- Disruptions to sleep
Look out: Anxiety, particularly the fear of rejection or conflict, is frequently the source of this people-pleasing inclination. Your body feels tense when your mind is on edge all the time.
5. You Avoid Overwhelming Situations
Symptoms:
- You put off doing things.
- Avoid challenging conversations.
- Avoid uncomfortable circumstances.
Look out: Temporarily, avoidance may seem relieving, but over time, it frequently makes anxiety worse. It tells your mind to be afraid of the circumstance.
A Kind Reminder
You don’t necessarily have a problem if you recognise yourself facing the above symptoms. It merely indicates that your brain is attempting to manage, defend, and interpret your surroundings.
Four Basic Steps to Overcome Anxiety
The first step is awareness.
Secondly, breathe slowly without thinking of anything else. Feel your breath.
Thirdly, move your hands, legs and head. It will divert your mind.
Fourthly, ground yourself in that moment. Feel your surroundings with your hands, see around and notice the colours. Try smelling the frangrance nearby and lastly close your eyes and try to listen to the nearby sounds. It will help you be mindful.
It’s not necessary to fix everything at once.
All you need to do is start observing- with compassion, not criticism.
REMEMBER: Anxiety doesn’t always scream; sometimes it whispers.
Additionally, you get to comprehend yourself more clearly the more softly you listen.
If you can relate to the above, check my book, Silent Battles, in page- Books which can help you. If you want my signed copy, email me at Contact
If you want to share and connect, you can contact me- Contact and check my page- Counselling