Understanding Anxiety
Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of life. Whether it's preparing for a job interview, navigating relationship challenges, managing financial pressures, or dealing with unexpected changes, most of us experience worry and stress at different points in our lives.
However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, or begins to affect your daily life, it may be a sign that additional support could be helpful.
What Is Anxiety
Anxiety is the body's natural response to situations that feel uncertain, challenging, or threatening. It can help us stay alert and focused when facing important tasks or decisions.
For some people, however, anxiety can become difficult to switch off. Thoughts may feel constantly occupied by worry, and physical symptoms can make it challenging to relax, concentrate, or enjoy everyday activities.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns experienced by Australians, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The good news is that effective support and treatment are available.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Anxiety can affect both the mind and body, and symptoms may vary from person to person.
You may notice:
Frequent or excessive worrying
Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Irritability or feeling overwhelmed
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Racing thoughts
Increased heart rate or palpitations
Muscle tension, headaches, or jaw clenching
Shortness of breath
Digestive discomfort or nausea
Some people experience anxiety in specific situations, while others find it affects many areas of their lives.
When Does Anxiety Become a Concern?
Occasional anxiety is a normal response to life's challenges. It becomes more concerning when it starts to interfere with your wellbeing, relationships, work, study, or ability to participate in everyday activities.
You might find yourself avoiding situations that feel stressful, constantly anticipating worst-case scenarios, or feeling emotionally exhausted from trying to manage ongoing worry.
If anxiety is affecting your quality of life, it may be worth speaking with a mental health professional.
What Can Contribute to Anxiety?
There is rarely a single cause of anxiety. Often, a combination of factors can influence how anxiety develops and is maintained.
These may include:
Family history and genetics
Ongoing stress or significant life changes
Workplace pressures
Health concerns
Relationship difficulties
Past experiences of trauma or adversity
Personality traits such as perfectionism or high self-expectations
Understanding the factors contributing to anxiety can be an important step towards finding effective ways to manage it.
Strategies That Can Help
While anxiety can feel overwhelming, there are practical steps that may help reduce its impact.
Stay Connected
When we're feeling anxious, it's common to withdraw from others. Reaching out to trusted friends, family members, or supportive colleagues can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide perspective.
Prioritise Your Physical Wellbeing
Regular exercise, quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and reducing caffeine intake can all support emotional wellbeing and help regulate the body's stress response.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and grounding techniques can help bring attention back to the present moment and reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts.
Be Kind to Yourself
Many people experiencing anxiety are highly self-critical. Practising self-compassion and recognising that anxiety is a common human experience can be an important part of recovery.
Seek Professional Support
Working with a psychologist can help you better understand your anxiety, identify patterns that may be maintaining it, and develop practical coping strategies.
Evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies have been shown to be effective in helping people manage anxiety and build resilience.
When to Reach Out
You do not need to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming before seeking support.
Many people benefit from speaking with a psychologist when they notice that anxiety is:
Persisting for several weeks or months
Affecting sleep, work, study, or relationships
Leading to avoidance of important activities
Impacting confidence or self-esteem
Feeling difficult to manage on their own
Seeking support early can often make it easier to develop effective coping strategies and prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.