The Overprotective Bodyguard You Never Hired
Anxiety has a way of showing up uninvited—like that one relative who overstays their welcome or the overprotective bodyguard you never hired. It’s always hovering, whispering “What if?” in your ear, convincing you that disaster is right around the corner. And while anxiety’s job is to protect you, sometimes it overreacts—turning everyday moments into high-stakes survival missions.
So, how do we work with anxiety instead of letting it run the show? Let’s break it down.
Anxiety Isn’t the Enemy—But It’s Not Always Right
At its core, anxiety is a survival mechanism. Back in the caveman days, it kept us alive—heightening our senses and preparing us to fight off saber-toothed tigers. The problem? Most of us aren’t dodging wild animals anymore, but our brain hasn’t updated its software.
Instead of worrying about predators, we stress over emails, social situations, and whether that text we sent sounded weird. Anxiety makes everything feel urgent, even when it’s not.
Heart racing before a big meeting? Anxiety thinks you’re about to fight a bear.
Overanalyzing a conversation from three days ago? Anxiety says, “Let’s replay this 57 times to make sure you didn’t embarrass yourself.”
Avoiding something because it feels overwhelming? Anxiety believes that if you don’t do it, you’ll be safe (spoiler: the stress just lingers).
Signs That Anxiety Is Running the Show
Anxiety can be sneaky, showing up in different ways:
✅ Constant worrying—your brain loves playing the “worst-case scenario” game. ✅ Overthinking—every decision feels like life or death (even picking a snack). ✅ Physical symptoms—racing heart, sweaty palms, upset stomach, or feeling on edge. ✅ Avoidance—procrastinating or dodging situations that make you uncomfortable. ✅ Feeling restless—like you need to do something but can’t figure out what.
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Anxiety is common, but the good news? It’s manageable.
Taming the Anxiety Beast
Since anxiety is like an overactive bodyguard, the key isn’t to fight it—it’s to retrain it. Here’s how:
🧘♀️ Ground Yourself in the Present Anxiety thrives in the what-ifs of the future. Pull yourself back to the present with the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
5 things you see
4 things you touch
3 things you hear
2 things you smell
1 deep breath
📝 Challenge the “What Ifs” Ask yourself: Is this fear based on facts or feelings? Anxiety loves exaggeration, but you can talk back to it. Instead of “What if I fail?” try “What if I succeed?”
💨 Breathe Like You Mean It Deep breathing isn’t just a cliché—it actually helps. Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4, and exhaling for 6. This tells your brain, “We’re safe.”
🕰 Limit the Doom-Scrolling News, social media, and late-night Google searches about worst-case scenarios? Not helping. Set boundaries on how much negativity you consume.
🤝 Talk It Out Anxiety loves isolation. Whether it’s a friend, therapist, or journal, getting those thoughts out of your head makes them less powerful.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Your Anxiety
Anxiety might be part of your life, but it doesn’t define you. It’s just an overprotective inner voice trying (sometimes too hard) to keep you safe. With the right tools, you can turn down the volume and take control.
✨Looking for something to regulate your nervous system? Try the Vagus Nerve Deck! There are 75 techniques that can help reset your nervous system.
✨ Ready to take the next step? If anxiety has been running the show, let’s work through it together. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Luminescent Mind Counseling & Consultation Services. You don’t have to navigate this alone—click here to book your session today!
