What is Anxiety?
Anxiety can feel like a constant hum in the background—or a wave that crashes over you out of nowhere.
Racing thoughts. Tight chest. The feeling that something’s wrong, even when you can’t explain what.
You’re not alone—and you’re not “too sensitive” or broken. Anxiety is your body’s way of saying, “I’m overwhelmed.” It’s a natural response to stress or uncertainty. It’s your body and mind’s way of staying alert when something feels threatening or unfamiliar — kind of like an internal alarm system.
A little anxiety can be helpful. It can motivate you to prepare for an exam, focus before a big event, or stay safe in risky situations. But when that alarm gets stuck in the “on” position — even when there's no real danger — it can start to take a toll.
When you feel anxious—whether it’s about an exam, the work environment, a social situation, or just a general sense of unease—your brain interprets it as a threat. It switches on the flight-flight-freeze response and sends a signal to release cortisol, along with other stress hormones like adrenaline.
This can cause:
A racing heart
Shallow breathing
Tight muscles
Trouble thinking clearly
Feeling jumpy, restless, or on edge
What’s the difference between Stress and Anxiety?
Stress and anxiety often feel very similar — racing thoughts, tension in your body, trouble sleeping or focusing — but they’re not quite the same thing. Stress is a response to something external. Stress usually has a clear cause — like a deadline, important meeting or presentation, an exam, or a difficult situation. You might feel pressure in the moment, but when the situation passes, the stress often eases.
Stress can be:
Short-term or long-term
Physical or emotional
Motivating in small doses — but draining if it builds up
Anxiety is more internal — and can linger
Anxiety often sticks around, even when there’s no obvious cause. It’s that ongoing feeling of unease, dread, or overthinking — like your mind and body are stuck in “what if?” loop.
How They're Connected
Stress can trigger anxiety, especially if it’s ongoing. And anxiety can make stress feel worse, by amplifying your thoughts and fears about what might happen next.
The good news?
Both stress and anxiety can be managed — especially when you work in a safe coaching space, with tools such as tapping that calm the nervous system and help you shift the patterns underneath. Tapping has been proved to lower cortisol and can help to:
Calm the nervous system quickly
To release the root causes of anxiety, not just the symptoms
To offer a sense of control and empowerment
To reduce emotional intensity around past events or future fears