Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations. It is what keeps us safe, quickly informing us to run when we see a fire, freeze when we see a bear, or even fight if it is the only way to protect ourselves. Healthy anxiety at the right levels contributes to our vitality and motivation for optimal performance. However, sometimes this fear can become so intense that it feels debilitating and blocks us from doing what matters. We never regain the equilibrium we are supposed to return to after the danger is gone, preventing us from moving forward with our life feeling calm and confident.

People who suffer from anxiety, panic, and phobias tend to have extra sensitive ‘fire alarms’ that react too often when there isn’t a real reason to be alarmed. The brain can become over-reactive and overgeneralize losing the ability to differentiate between real and perceived stress. Toxic anxiety impacts our thoughts and our relationships. It wears out our bodies and prevents us from living our most fulfilled life. It feels as if our body and mind are being hijacked and there is little we can do to stop it.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” 
–  William James