Anxiety can feel like annoying background music you can’t turn off—constantly buzzing in your mind, making it hard to focus, sleep, or just enjoy life. And, after awhile, there will likely come a point when you say to yourself, "something needs to change", but where do you go from there?
There are definitely some lifestyle and behavioral changes that we can make that are well-researched and shown to positively impact anxiety symptoms, including:
decreasing stimulant consumption (caffeine, nicotine, sugar)
increasing physical movement/ healthy outlets
having a consistent routine
engaging in mindfulness
spending time in nature
As an anxiety specialist, I fully support people starting with lifestyle and behavioral changes, because being intentional about addressing anxiety allows us to also be more present and in-tune with ourselves. Yet, while making changes (like movement, a balanced diet, or mindfulness apps) are super important tools, they’re not always enough to completely quiet the noise.
Here’s why:
1. Anxiety Can Be Wired Into Your Brain
Anxiety isn’t just a bad habit you can "fix" with the perfect morning routine. Sometimes, it’s the result of deeply ingrained patterns in your brain—things like unhelpful thought loops or past experiences that keep showing up uninvited. No amount of kale smoothies or 10,000 steps can untangle that on its own, but identifying unhelpful patterns through therapy practices -like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- can help us better understand thought cycles we are repeating that are no longer serving us and learn new ways to take back control of our thinking.
2. It Might Be Linked to Your Past
Anxiety doesn’t just pop out of nowhere. Sometimes, it’s tied to past experiences or even trauma that you might not fully understand yet. Therapy can help you connect the dots between “Why do I feel unloveable?” and past relationships that made you feel unvalued, unimportant, and under-appreciated. Plus, it's not always about intellectualizing, sometimes we need to learn how to tune into our nervous system, acknowledge our feelings, and get comfortable being with ourselves in our body, too.
3. It’s Hard to See the Forest When You’re Stuck in the Trees
When you’re living with anxiety, it can be tough to recognize what’s really driving it. Therapy provides a safe space (and a trained therapist) to help you zoom out, see the big picture, and figure out what’s really going on beneath the surface. Bonus: You aren't alone and have someone dedicated to your growth and healing who can point out ways that you are progressing or areas where things still feel stuck.
4. Accountability is a Game-Changer
Let’s be honest—making lifestyle changes isn’t easy and it is not uncommon for most people to try something (like meditation for example) for a week or two before throwing in the towel. A therapist not only helps you stay on track but also works with you to tweak what isn’t working and make sure you are thinking about/ working through barriers that might get in your way.
5. Anxiety Can Be Complex (and Sneaky)
Anxiety has a way of showing up in unexpected ways—like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or snapping at loved ones. Therapy helps you uncover those sneaky patterns and work through them, instead of letting them run the show. Ultimately helping you better see yourself and all of your awesome strengths that may feel hidden beneath frustrating symptoms and worry.
When to Consider Therapy for Anxiety
If your anxiety feels like it’s controlling your life—interrupting your sleep, relationships, or ability to just be—it might be time to think about therapy.
Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you, because guess what? You’re not broken. It’s about giving you a toolkit to navigate life with more confidence, calm, and clarity. It’s about having someone in your corner who gets it and can help you find the version of you that feels most authentic and at peace. And it's about better understanding your brain and your history so that the past does not have to rule your future.
So, if anxiety is feeling a little too loud right now, consider therapy as a way to turn down the volume. You’re not weak for needing help—you’re human— and you deserve to feel good in your own skin 💛
If you're interested in starting anxiety therapy in Colorado or Arizona, reach out to schedule a free consultation: https://www.rootedwellnesscounseling.com/starttherapyonlinetoday
Wishing you calm and ease.
Warmly,
Meredith Waller MSW, LCSW, CCATP
303-925-1202
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