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Anxiety: when worry stays switched on
Anxiety is the body's alarm system: it gets you ready to face a threat. It becomes a problem when the alarm goes off often, stays on for a long time, or rings when there is no real danger, and starts to get in the way of daily life.
How it can feel
- Worry that is hard to switch off
- A racing heart, tight chest or fast breathing
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Feeling on edge, restless or irritable
- Avoiding places or situations because of the feeling
What can help
- Slow breathing with a longer out-breath than in-breath
- Moving your body every day
- Regular sleep and less caffeine
- Talking to someone you trust
- Talking therapies such as CBT, which have strong evidence for anxiety
When to get help
If anxiety is affecting your sleep, work, studies or relationships for more than a couple of weeks, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional.
Written by the PodHub team from widely used public health guidance. Waiting for review by our founding clinical lead. General information, not a diagnosis or advice for your situation.