Do you feel constantly anxious? Worried about being worried? Have crippling panic attacks or feel terrified by everyday situations? Do you regularly ask yourself, “Why am I so anxious?” If you find yourself wondering why some people experience only occasional anxiety while others seem immobilized by fear, you’re not alone.

The truth is, everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives and feeling anxious is a normal part of many everyday situations. Some experience feeling anxious before speaking to a group or having to navigate heavy traffic while others get nervous when flying or during confrontation. Feeling anxious in certain situations is normal. But when anxiety becomes constant and excessive, it causes people to feel out of control and frequently makes the activities of daily life difficult. In some cases, it may even benefit the individual to seek out treatment for their anxiety.

The definition of anxiety

Many people want to define anxiety so they can be sure they have it. The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion that is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. If this is a temporary issue triggered by a certain event, it can be normal and not a cause for concern. However, if the duration or severity of your anxiety is out of proportion to the stressor, if physical symptoms detract from your overall health or if your symptoms of anxiety interfere with your daily functioning, you may have an anxiety disorder.

If you want to know what to do when feeling anxious, this article will help. Here you’ll learn about what causes anxiety and get an overview of anxiety symptoms. We’ll also cover some ways to start treating anxiety so you can start unlocking an extraordinary life today.

Why do I feel anxious?

Symptoms of anxiety

Do I have anxiety?

It’s important to know when feeling anxious is normal and when it’s a sign of something more serious. Again, we all have anxious moments or events. But if anxiety is driving your life and preventing you from doing what you want to do, it’s probably time to seek some help and make some changes. Tony encourages people who are feeling anxious to use your fear before your fear uses you. To do that, you need to break your current pattern and be active when it comes to finding help.

Anxiety due to lack of self-care

Some people are constantly doing things for others and it’s not until they stop and ask themselves, “Why do I feel anxious?” that they realize they’ve neglected their own self-care. Taking time for ourselves to eat nutritiously, exercise and reconnect with ourselves is one of the best ways to fight feeling anxious. Realize that taking time for self-care is not selfish – in fact, it is one of the most unselfish things you can do because it allows you to be at your best when others need your help or attention.

Anxiety as a driver, not an immobilizer

Not everyone reacts to anxiety in the same way, but why? Varying degrees of feeling anxious has to do with how you’re wired. Think of it this way: For some people, jumping out of a plane is the most exciting thing they can do. For others, it’s what comes to mind when they’re asked to define anxious feelings. But you can train yourself to change how you react, especially with direct mental conditioning. Think of this as muscle training for stress.

We all have habits we repeat and stories we tell ourselves and this develops our beliefs – both the empowering ones and the beliefs that limit us. These connect to the power of language; the more you say something, the more true it becomes, right? That’s the power of momentum. So when you use phrases like “I’m so overwhelmed” or “I’m so anxious,” you’re unconsciously training yourself to feel that way. This explains why asking yourself “Why am I so anxious?” can actually lead to more anxiety instead of finding solutions.

Those who get stuck in a negative feedback loop of limiting thoughts and beliefs can turn normal symptoms of feeling anxious into more pervasive anxiety disorders. It’s imperative to break this cycle and the sooner you can do it, the better. When you change your words, you change your life, and one of the best ways to do this is through mental conditioning.

Using mental conditioning when feeling anxious

What if you could train yourself to feel strong, to feel passion and joy? Instead of asking yourself “Why do I feel anxious?”, what if you could instead push those thoughts and feelings away through imagery? Through mental conditioning, you can.

When you are feeling anxious, try visualizing yourself as a confident, strong person handling your current situation. Make it as clear in your mind as possible. Imagine slow breathing, a steady heartbeat and an absolute conviction that you can handle whatever situation is thrown your way. Though mental conditioning takes time and persistence, it’s well worth it to reduce feeling anxious and get more out of each day.

To be clear, this kind of training doesn’t mean you’ll never end up feeling anxious ever again. But it gives you the tools you need to acknowledge your sense of anxiety, deal with it and move on.

Another key step to consider when wondering what to do when feeling anxious is to focus on something larger. Don’t make these changes just to serve yourself. Find a greater purpose, one that gives you energy. This could be your family, community, even the world at large. Motives matter and can do a world of difference when it comes to treating your anxiety. As Tony always says, where focus goes, energy flows. When you focus on a cause or higher purpose, your energy flows outward and feeling anxious naturally fades.

Getting help when feeling anxious

Depending on the severity of your symptoms of anxiety and how much they are interfering with your life, getting professional help can be the best solution. If you are constantly asking yourself “Why do I feel anxious?”, if it’s hurting your relationships or career or if you feel it has compromised your overall quality of life, it’s time to seek help. Here are some options.

Work with a coach

See a therapist

Important Note

The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. See full disclaimer.