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we’re here — with open ears, open hearts and no judgement.
Understanding Anxiety: What It Is and How It Affects Us
We for You – Mental Health Awareness Blog Series
Anxiety is a word that gets thrown around so often that many people forget how heavy it can really feel. On the surface, it might look like overthinking or worrying too much, but for the person going through it, anxiety can feel like an unwanted companion that shows up uninvited, sits beside you, and refuses to leave.
Sometimes it’s a tightness in your chest that comes out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s a racing mind that won’t slow down even when you’re exhausted. And sometimes it’s simply a quiet sense of dread that doesn’t have a name or a reason.
For many people, recognising anxiety in themselves is the first step towards understanding it. For others, it’s only after speaking to someone that they realise those constant worries and physical sensations weren’t “just stress” — they were symptoms of something real.
So what exactly is anxiety?
In simple terms, anxiety is when worry moves from being a normal human feeling to something that interferes with your everyday life. It’s when your mind goes into “what if” mode far more often than it needs to, or when your body reacts to everyday situations as if they’re emergencies.
You might notice your heart beating faster during conversations, or find yourself overthinking simple decisions. You might lose sleep replaying events in your mind. You might worry about things that haven’t happened—and genuinely fear they will.
Anxiety can show up differently for everyone, but some common signs include:
• A constant feeling of unease
• Racing thoughts
• Difficulty focusing
• Tension in the body
• Heart palpitations or sweating
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling overwhelmed by small tasks
Why does anxiety happen?
Anxiety doesn’t always have one clear cause. Sometimes it’s triggered by stress or trauma. Sometimes it comes from ongoing worries, health issues, hormonal changes, or environmental pressure. Personality traits like perfectionism or being overly self-critical can make someone more vulnerable too. And yes, genetics and brain chemistry play a role as well.
But here’s what often gets forgotten: anxiety doesn’t mean you’re weak. It doesn’t mean you’re being dramatic. It doesn’t mean you “can’t cope”. It simply means your mind and body are trying to stay safe — they’re just working a little harder than they need to.
How anxiety affects daily life
Living with anxiety can be exhausting. It can make simple tasks feel complicated and draining. You might avoid situations because they feel too overwhelming. You might read too much into people’s tone or body language. You might walk around with an invisible knot in your stomach that no one else can see.
For young people especially, anxiety can show up in school pressure, friendships, social situations, family expectations, identity struggles, or feeling unsure about the future. Adults, too, carry anxieties linked to work, relationships, finances, parenting, or simply trying to keep everything together.
And yet, because anxiety is invisible, many people feel they have to hide it. They tell themselves to “just calm down” or “get over it”, which only makes the pressure heavier.
You’re not alone, and help exists
The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable. With the right support, tools and guidance, you can learn to understand your anxiety rather than fear it. Therapy, mindfulness, breathwork, grounding techniques and lifestyle changes can make an enormous difference.
At We for You, we support individuals who experience anxiety through:
• One-to-one support sessions
• Emotional check-ins
• Practical coping strategies
• A safe space to express what you’re feeling
• Community events and workshops
• Faith-informed discussions for those who want them
You don’t have to struggle alone. You don’t have to pretend everything is fine. You deserve support, understanding and tools that genuinely help you feel grounded again.