Anxiety: Why We Have It & How You Can Master It

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve experienced anxiety at some point. You’re not alone – anxiety is one of the most common struggles I see in my counselling practice, whether in-person in Basingstoke or through online counselling. But here’s the thing: anxiety isn’t just some modern-day nuisance; it actually has ancient roots.

A Quick Look at Anxiety’s History

Believe it or not, anxiety once helped us survive. Picture this: you’re a caveman (or cavewoman), and you hear a rustling in the bushes. Your brain immediately kicks into high alert – heart racing, breathing faster, muscles tensing. Why? Because it might be a predator! This built-in alarm system helped our ancestors stay alive.

Fast forward thousands of years, and our brains still work the same way. The problem? The "threats" we face today aren’t usually wild animals – they’re things like work stress, social situations, or the pressure to juggle everyday life. Our brains haven't quite caught up with modern times, so they still react as if we’re in danger. That’s why anxiety can feel so overwhelming – but the good news is, you don’t have to let it control you.

Taking Back Control: Managing Your Anxiety

The key to mastering anxiety is learning how to work with your brain rather than against it. Here are a few simple tools I often use in counselling for anxiety in Basingstoke (and online!):

🔹 Grounding Techniques – If anxiety makes your thoughts race, try a quick grounding exercise: Name 5 things you see, 4 things you touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. This helps bring you back to the present moment.

🔹 Breathing Exercises – When your body thinks you’re in danger, your breathing speeds up. Slow it down with the 4-7-8 technique: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. This signals to your brain that you’re safe.

🔹 Challenging Your Thoughts – Anxiety loves to tell us stories: "I’m going to fail," "Everyone is judging me," "I can’t handle this." Ask yourself, Is this thought actually true? Often, we believe our anxious thoughts without questioning them.

How Counselling Can Help

Anxiety isn’t something you just have to "live with." With the right tools, support, and understanding, you can take back control and feel calmer, more confident, and more in charge of your life. In my sessions I help people in Basingstoke (and beyond through online counselling) understand their anxiety, manage their symptoms, and feel more at ease.

💬 Want to chat about how counselling could help you? I offer a free 15-minute consultation – no pressure, just a friendly chat about what you need.

You don’t have to struggle alone – let’s work through it together.