how to listen to what your anxiety is telling you
Anxiety is one of those feelings.
You might push it away, judge it for showing up, tell yourself it’s a bad feeling. It may not be comfortable to feel your anxiety, and it may show up more often than you’d like.
The truth is – anxiety is an important feeling.
And we need it.
Why do we need anxiety?
Anxiety can be a motivator – before a big test or presentation it can motivate us to prepare better.
In pre-historic times, anxiety activated our “fight or flight response” and kept us safe from the saber-tooth tiger or other danger.
So we need some of it – but not too much.
When anxiety crosses the line from useful and motivating to potentially debilitating and overwhelming, it’s no longer helping you.
What is your anxiety telling you?
It's probably trying to tell you something. There’s often another feeling (or several) under the anxiety. And while anxiety has value, too much of it can keep you stuck.
I often guide clients through a process of getting curious about their anxiety.
If anxiety is something you’ve judged or ignored for a long time, this can be a rich and powerful process.
How to start listening to your anxiety
The next time you notice your anxiety, see if you can get curious about it.
A few ways to get started:
Find a piece of music that expresses your anxiety in some way – it can be a song or an instrumental piece
Do a quick body scan and see where you’re feeling anxiety – we hold anxiety in interesting places, and this can be good information.
Ask yourself – out loud or in your journal – some questions (and remember, it’s completely okay if you don’t know the answers):
Where is my anxiety coming from? Where am I noticing it in my body?
Does it feel familiar?
What is it trying to tell me?
If my anxiety had a voice, whose would it be/what would it sound like?
If your anxiety is keeping you stuck in repetitive cycles in your life, and you’re ready to get curious and make real changes, I’d love to speak with you about working together.
Feel free to schedule your free phone consultation here.
About the Author
Maya is a music therapist and psychotherapist in NYC and online throughout New York State. She specializes in helping women with anxiety, childhood/intergenerational trauma and those who are highly sensitive (HSP) feel good enough, learn how to express their feelings without overwhelm, and show up in calm and confident ways in their work and relationships.
If you’re interested in working with Maya, you can learn more here or schedule your free phone consultation here.
You don’t have to stay stuck - it’s time to reclaim your rhythm.