Anxiety Isn't the Enemy: What It’s Trying to Tell You

laurabrunopsychoth
Jun 4
3 min read

Anxiety often gets a bad reputation. It’s seen as something to suppress, avoid, or fix — a sign that something is wrong. But what if we paused and asked instead, “What is my anxiety trying to tell me?”

The truth is, anxiety isn’t the enemy. It’s not a flaw or malfunction. It’s a signal from the body, and when we bring in somatic awareness during therapy, we learn that anxiety is something to listen to — not fear or fight.

Anxiety Is a Messenger, Not a Malfunction

Anxiety shows up in many ways — racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, a pit in the stomach, restlessness, irritability. It can feel overwhelming, even paralyzing.

But beneath those symptoms is usually a deeper message. Anxiety may be your body’s way of saying:

“Something here doesn’t feel safe.”
“You’re overwhelmed and need to slow down.”
“There’s a need or value that’s not being honoured.”
“You’ve been here before, and your body remembers.”

When we reframe anxiety as a form of internal communication, we shift from fear to curiosity. And that’s where healing can begin.

The Power of Somatic Therapy and Body Awareness

The body often senses things before the mind does. That’s why anxiety shows up physically — before we’ve even identified the cause. Somatic therapy helps us tune into those sensations, like:

A racing heart
Shallow breath
A clenched jaw

Instead of labeling these as problems, we explore them as clues.

In somatic sessions, you might hear questions like:

“Where do you feel that in your body?”
“If that tightness could speak, what would it say?”
“Can we stay with that sensation for a moment, just notice it?”
“Let’s take a few deep breaths — do you feel any shifts?”

These gentle prompts help bring presence instead of panic. The body becomes a wise storyteller, holding stress, memories, and unmet needs — waiting to be heard.

Why Avoiding Anxiety Can Make It Worse

Pushing anxiety away doesn’t make it disappear. It just pushes it deeper. Over time, that avoidance can turn into:

Chronic tension
Emotional numbness
Burnout
Panic attacks

But when we listen to anxiety, we begin to understand what it’s asking for. In therapy, we slow down, tune in, and respond with care instead of fear.

What Anxiety Might Be Trying to Tell You

Sometimes anxiety is a protector — one that’s been on high alert for too long. Sometimes, it’s unprocessed grief or unmet needs asking for attention.

Often, it’s simply your body saying: “Please take care of me.”

When we view anxiety as feedback, not failure, we open the door to nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and self-awareness.

Somatic Breathwork for Anxiety Relief

One powerful way to work with anxiety is through somatic breathwork — a body-based practice that uses intentional breathing to calm the nervous system and release stored stress.

Benefits of somatic breathwork include:

Nervous system regulation
Increased emotional awareness
Release of physical tension
Greater clarity and calm

For many people, breathwork offers a way to process emotions not just through talk, but through the body. It’s grounding, empowering, and especially effective when talk therapy alone doesn’t feel like enough.

💬 Curious about how somatic breathwork could support your healing journey? Visit the upcoming events page or send a message to learn more. You don’t have to navigate anxiety alone — your body already holds the wisdom. Together, we’ll help you listen.

Final Thoughts: Turning Toward Anxiety with Compassion

You don’t need to “fix” your anxiety to feel okay.

You are not broken — you are human, and your body is doing its best to keep you safe.

Through somatic therapy, breathwork, and mindful awareness, we can learn to:

Turn toward anxiety with curiosity
Understand what it’s trying to communicate
Respond with compassion instead of control

Healing begins not with silencing the body’s signals, but with listening deeply to what they’re saying.

Want to work with your anxiety, not against it?

Explore how nervous system regulation and body-based healing can help you feel more grounded, connected, and empowered. Reach out anytime — we'd love to support you!

By: Janessa Meissner