CLINICAL COUNSELLING SPECIALTY:

Anxiety

Do you often feel on edge, overwhelmed, or like your thoughts just won’t stop looping? Are you constantly bracing for something to go wrong even when everything seems fine on the outside? If so, you may be living with anxiety, and you’re not alone.

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What is anxiety?

Understanding Anxiety and When To Seek Help.

At its core, anxiety is the body’s natural reaction to a real or perceived threat, even in the absence of immediate danger. Anxiety can feel like an invisible weight you carry everywhere. It shows up as racing thoughts, constant worry, tension in your body, or that restless, unsettled feeling you just can’t shake. It’s a state of heightened alert that can make daily life feel overwhelming and hard to manage.

You’re not alone – anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek counselling. While anxiety is incredibly common, that doesn’t mean it’s something you should just “live with.” It’s not your fault, and more importantly—it doesn’t have to be your normal.

At Lyn Firth Counselling, you’ll find a calm, compassionate space to slow down, breathe, and start to unpack what’s going on beneath the surface. Together, we’ll explore the roots of your anxiety, build practical tools to manage it, and help you reconnect with a sense of steadiness and control.

Relief is possible, and it can start with one small, supported step forward.

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What anxiety Looks Like

Signs and Symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety can show up in many different ways, and it doesn’t always look like panic attacks or constant worry. Sometimes it’s a quiet sense of unease, a racing mind at bedtime, or feeling tense for no clear reason. You might feel “off” more often than not and unsure why. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward understanding what your body and mind are trying to tell you.

  • Overthinking or expecting the worst in everyday situations
  • Trouble sleeping or constant mental “chatter”
  • Feeling restless, on edge, or unable to relax
  • Avoiding certain places, people, or situations
  • Tight chest, rapid heartbeat, or shallow breathing
  • Difficulty focusing or making decisions
  • A constant need for reassurance or control
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Understanding the Root Causes

Common Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety often has deeper roots than we realize. It may develop over time from a mix of past experiences, current stressors, and the way we’ve learned to cope. Gaining insight into what’s behind your anxiety is an important step toward lasting relief.

  • Chronic stress or burnout
  • Perfectionism or fear of failure
  • Feeling ignored or emotionally unsupported
  • People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries
  • Major life changes (moving, divorce, new job, etc.)
  • Unresolved grief or emotional loss
  • Lack of emotional safety growing up
  • Relationship conflict or fear of abandonment
  • Health concerns or past medical trauma
  • Social pressure or fear of judgment

IS anxiety holding you back?

How Anxiety Affects Your Everyday Life

Anxiety doesn’t just live in your thoughts. It can affect how you feel, function, and connect with the world around you. Here are four key ways it may be impacting your day-to-day life:

Mental & Emotional Strain

Constant worry, racing thoughts, self-doubt, and overwhelm can leave you feeling mentally exhausted and emotionally drained.

Physical Wellbeing

Anxiety often shows up in the body—tightness, fatigue, tension, headaches, and trouble sleeping are all common symptoms.

Relationships & Social Life

You might find yourself withdrawing, avoiding conflict, overanalyzing interactions, or struggling to feel secure with others.

Daily Functioning & Confidence

Decision-making becomes harder, motivation fades, and the fear of making a mistake can keep you stuck or playing small.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

What You Can Do to Manage Anxiety

Anxiety is manageable—and change is possible. Here are a few simple, effective strategies that many people find helpful. Counselling can be a powerful part of this journey, especially when anxiety feels like it’s taking over.

When anxiety takes over, your body and mind enter a state of high alert. Practicing calming techniques like slow breathing, grounding exercises, or mindfulness can help interrupt this stress response. These practices bring you back into the present moment and signal to your nervous system that you’re safe, helping to ease physical tension and quiet racing thoughts. Even a few minutes a day can make a noticeable difference over time.

Anxiety creates a buildup of nervous energy in the body. Gentle movement like walking, stretching, or doing yoga can help release that tension, calm the mind, and reset your focus. Physical activity also increases feel-good brain chemicals like endorphins and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. It doesn’t have to be intense—a short walk in nature or a few stretches in your living room can help you feel more grounded and in control.

Some things in our daily lives can quietly increase anxiety without us realizing it. Too much caffeine, constant exposure to social media, or a packed schedule can overstimulate the nervous system and make anxious feelings worse. Try noticing what increases your anxiety and take small steps to limit or replace those triggers. For example, swapping coffee for herbal tea or taking breaks from your phone can make a big impact on how your body feels.

Anxiety often thrives in silence. Naming what you’re feeling—whether by writing it down in a journal or saying it aloud to someone you trust—can help bring clarity to the chaos. When thoughts are swirling in your mind, expressing them externally gives them shape and helps you see them more clearly. It’s also a great way to spot patterns, track progress, and begin to better understand your inner world.

Anxiety can be isolating, but connection helps ease that burden. Spending time with people who make you feel safe, seen, and supported can lower anxiety and boost your resilience. Whether it’s a friend who listens without judgment, a family member who makes you laugh, or a support group, surrounding yourself with care is a powerful part of healing. You don’t have to go through this alone.

When anxiety becomes overwhelming or starts interfering with daily life, working with a counsellor can make all the difference. Counselling offers a safe space to unpack your thoughts, learn coping strategies, and understand the deeper roots of your anxiety. With the right support, you can begin to feel more empowered, less reactive, and better equipped to handle whatever life brings.

“Anxiety doesn’t define you and it doesn’t have to control your life. You’re not weak for feeling overwhelmed – you’re human. With the right tools and support, things can get easier. Together, we can gently untangle the worry, quiet the noise, and help you find calm.”

– Lyn Firth, MPCC, RQS

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