WHAT IS ANXIETY?

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural stress response designed to help the body respond to perceived threats. It involves changes in thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that increase alertness and readiness. In many situations, anxiety is protective and adaptive.

Anxiety becomes a concern when it is persistent, disproportionate to the situation, or interferes with daily life, relationships, sleep, or overall wellbeing.

How Anxiety Commonly Shows Up

Anxiety can affect people differently. Common experiences include excessive worry, racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing, physical tension, sleep disruption, digestive discomfort, and avoidance of situations or decisions. Some people experience anxiety quietly while continuing to function at a high level.

Why Anxiety Happens

Anxiety is closely tied to the nervous system. When the brain perceives threat, the nervous system activates a stress response. When this response remains chronically activated, anxiety can persist even when danger is no longer present.

When Anxiety Becomes a Concern

Anxiety may warrant support when it feels constant, leads to exhaustion or avoidance, interferes with functioning, or reduces quality of life.

How Anxiety Is Commonly Supported

Support focuses on increasing awareness, regulating stress responses, and building emotional flexibility rather than eliminating anxiety entirely.

When Professional Support May Help

Professional support may help when anxiety feels difficult to manage alone or continues despite attempts to cope.

Core Psychology is a Calgary‑based psychology practice located in Marda Loop providing evidence‑based counselling across the lifespan, both in-person and online.