Anxiety: A Body & Mind Experience 

Anxiety is not just in your head—it lives in your body, too. It’s the tightness in your chest, the knots in your stomach, the restless energy you can’t shake. Anxiety is a natural response—your body’s way of trying to protect you when it senses a threat. In its essence, anxiety is your nervous system doing its job, sounding the alarm to keep you safe.

But what happens when that alarm never turns off? When returning to a calm baseline feels impossible? This is where things get messy. Instead of helping you navigate challenges, anxiety starts to take over—leaving you stuck in cycles of worry, overwhelm, and physical discomfort. You might find yourself constantly on edge, drained of energy, or unable to fully engage with your life.

 

What are the symptoms?

Anxiety can show up in many different ways, affecting both your mind and body. While everyone’s experience is unique, common symptoms of anxiety include:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Tightness in the chest

  • Shortness of breath or rapid breathing

  • Racing or pounding heart

  • Restlessness or feeling on edge

  • Fatigue or difficulty sleeping

  • Muscle tension, aches, or shaking

  • Digestive issues, like nausea or an upset stomach

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Excessive worry or fear, often disproportionate to the situation

  • Feeling overwhelmed or out of control

  • Difficulty concentrating or a racing mind

  • Irritability or a sense of dread

  • Persistent feelings of unease

 

What to expect? 

At Wild Journey Recovery, we approach anxiety as both a body and mind experience.

Through somatic therapy and nervous system-informed care, we help you gently reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms, regulate your nervous system, and find a sense of safety within yourself. Healing anxiety is not about forcing it to disappear—it’s about learning to listen to what your body is telling you and supporting it back to balance.

Together, we will:

  • Explore the root causes of your anxiety—whether they stem from past experiences, patterns of stress, or nervous system dysregulation.

  • Work with somatic techniques to release tension, ground your body, and soothe your nervous system.

  • Utilize Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Techniques to identify limiting beliefs.

  • Equip you with tools to recognize and respond to triggers, so anxiety no longer feels like it’s running the show.