Emotion · Fear family
Anxiety
noun
Fear pointed at the future — a sense of threat about something that has not happened yet, and may never happen.
How it shows up in the body
Restlessness, a busy mind, trouble sleeping, stomach knots, muscle tension, a tight throat.
What it is telling you
Something matters to you and you are unsure you can handle it. Anxiety is often a planning system stuck on repeat.
The urge — and the choice
To avoid, overprepare or seek constant reassurance. The choice is to separate what you can act on today from what you cannot.
One thing to try
Split a page in two — “in my control” and “not in my control.” Do one small thing from the first column.
Practice it: Long-exhale breathing.
Words you can use
My mind is running ahead of me. Can you help me think through what’s actually in front of us?
Read more: Emotional regulation
