The causes of anxiety are vast. It’s an early warning system to our health, a defense mechanism to protect us and can be written into who we are. Figuring out what yours comes from is a journey of self exploration.
We have 2 minds. One of which we are always aware of and another rogue one that operates in the shadows: Our subconscious.
Our subconscious holds onto the memories we have forgotten. It directs us every day to make decisions based on these memories that have formed beliefs in our heads that may or may not be true on how the world works.
Since our subconscious mind is always at play in the background without our knowledge, we sometimes react in ways we, ourselves don’t quite understand. Sometimes, what looks like one thing is actually another.
For example, a fear of driving may not actually be a fear of driving. It may be in fact be a fear of a loved one being harmed. It may be a fear of your own bodily harm or a fear of other’s actions.
A fear of public speaking may actually be a fear of judgement or a fear of failure.
A fear of heights may in fact be a fear of falling and not the height itself.
Identifying the root cause of these fears is the first step in remedying them. You can’t very well treat a broken arm as if it’s a cut. You have to know what the problem really is. The truth may come right to mind or you may have to do some digging to really understand.
Situational Causes of Anxiety
If there is a certain thing that always triggers your panic, such as riding in a car or speaking with someone, I want you to do a little exercise.
In the safety of where you are, ground yourself. If you don’t know how to do that, simply imagine you’re stuck to the ground by the base of your spine. Feel the heaviness of your body being pulled down by gravity and the earth supporting you completely. You’re safe here.
Now close your eyes and imagine you’re in the situation that causes your unease. Breathe slowly and deeply as you imagine yourself there. Feeling it in your mind and body, seeing it with fine details. If you begin to feel the fear rise, ask it what it is. Know that it probably won’t answer in words but more feelings. This is your intuition and your subconscious.
- When do you remember it first appearing?
- Did something happen in this time?
- Where does your mind go during attacks?
How deep can you look at this fear? Explore it until there is nothing left to explore. No more angles to look at and it has completely revealed itself to you.
If you need help figuring it out, I offer a free one day chat session to uncover the roots of your fears. Simply message me.
Lifestyle Causes of Anxiety
Of course there is the possibility that your anxiety isn’t caused by anything that has happened to you in any way. Sometimes environmental factors are the cause for blame. If personal history has left no scars to be found, or work has been done to clear them and the problem still persists, lifestyle should be looked at as a cause.
Anxiety is a side effect of too many toxins in the system. Caused by chemicals in our cleaning and self care products and overly processed foods.
Anxiety is a form of warning system for when our body is in need of something in particular. It’s up to us to try and figure out what that something is.
Over stimulation can also be a cause of anxiety. Our ancestors didn’t have the constant sensory stimulation we do today. They had space to breathe, quiet to embrace on a constant and daily basis.
Things moved much slower in our history and this is what our bodies adapted to. Nowadays, as we’re constantly bombarded by bright lights, loud noises and movement that ever increases in speed, our nervous system isn’t getting the time it needs to rest.
Stimulation such as this in the past only came in moments of panic or during holiday celebrations. Our bodies need space for calming and stress releasing.
Predispositions for Anxiety
Some of us are unlucky enough to have anxiety written into who we are. Introspection is invaluable in understanding who you are and how to adapt to your nature.
In ayurveda, excess vata energy can cause anxiety. Vata is airy and always moving. Some of us are naturally more vata which would cause us to be more likely to experience anxiety, overwhelm and over thinking.
Luckily, excess vata energy can be remedied through food and lifestyle. Check out this post for more info on lowering your vata levels.
In astrology, too many air planets in your chart can make you more prone to it. This means plants in the zodiac signs of Gemini, Aquarius and Libra. If you’re heavy in air sign energy you can be more prone to overthinking and anxiety.
Anxiety can also be genetic. If you had parents or grandparents who are/were particularly anxious people, you could also inherit these troublesome traits. Of course, it stands to argue that they could not only be passed on through DNA but also learned as children simply by being around them.
Now what?
If you need help pin pointing exactly what is causing your anxiety problems, message me.
If you already have a pretty good idea about what’s causing your problems, make sure you join our Facebook group!
Other Articles You May Enjoy:
- Social Anxiety to Leader
- The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Anxiety Naturally
- The Quick and Easy Trick to Silencing Your Mind
- 8 Tips to higher Self Esteem
Author
S.S.Blake; Spiritual Life Coach, Yoga + Meditation Teacher and Founder of Earth and Water
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