Why Anxiety Lives in the Body—And How to Find Lasting Relief
Understanding Anxiety: Healing the Nervous System for Lasting Relief
Are you struggling with social anxiety or generalized anxiety that feels overwhelming? Do you find yourself stuck in overthinking, tension, or fear of judgment? Anxiety isn’t just in your mind—it lives in your body. When we understand how anxiety works in the nervous system, we can begin to heal at a deeper level.
At Insight, we help clients manage anxiety using evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and group therapy. Inspired by the insights in Anxiety Rx by Dr. Russell Kennedy, this blog explores how nervous system activation plays a key role in anxiety—and how you can begin to find relief.
Anxiety Isn’t Just in Your Head—It’s in Your Body
Many people believe anxiety comes from racing thoughts or excessive worry. While this is part of the picture, anxiety actually starts in the nervous system. When we experience early stress or trauma, our body holds onto that experience. The amygdala, a key part of the brain that detects threats, stays on high alert, even when no real danger is present.
For people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety, this can feel like:
✔ A constant sense of unease, even when nothing is wrong
✔ Overthinking or replaying conversations
✔ Fear of embarrassment or being judged in social situations
✔ Tension in the chest, stomach, or throat
✔ Difficulty relaxing or “shutting off” at night
Dr. Kennedy describes this as alarm in the body, which then fuels anxious thoughts. Instead of only working with the mind (like talk therapy), healing anxiety requires working with the nervous system.
The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Anxiety
One of the most powerful insights from Anxiety Rx is how childhood emotional wounds contribute to lifelong anxiety. If a child doesn’t feel emotionally safe—whether due to neglect, criticism, or unpredictable caregivers—their nervous system becomes wired for hypervigilance.
This means:
🔹 The body is primed for stress, even in safe situations
🔹 The brain creates “what-if” scenarios to prepare for danger
🔹 It feels unsafe to relax, trust, or feel at ease
Many people don’t realize that past experiences of emotional disconnection can lead to chronic anxiety as adults.
Healing Anxiety Through the Body: A Nervous System Approach
If anxiety lives in the body, the solution isn’t just thinking differently—it’s feeling differently. Healing requires bringing safety and regulation into the nervous system.
Ways to Soothe an Overactive Nervous System
🧘♀️ Somatic Therapy & Mindfulness – Practices like grounding exercises, deep breathing, and body awareness help shift the nervous system from fight-or-flight to a state of calm.
👂 Listening to the Body’s "Alarm" – Instead of avoiding anxious sensations, gently noticing and staying present with them can help release stored tension.
💛 Self-Compassion & Inner Child Work – Learning to connect with the wounded parts of ourselves can reduce emotional reactivity and self-judgment.
⚡ EMDR & Trauma-Informed Therapy – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps process unresolved trauma that contributes to anxiety.
🔄 Regulating Through Connection – Safe relationships, whether with a therapist or a trusted friend, or in a community setting, help co-regulate the nervous system and bring a sense of ease.
Join Our Therapeutic Book Group: Deepen Your Understanding & Find Support
If you’re looking for a structured yet supportive space to explore your relationship with anxiety, our next therapeutic book group is a great opportunity. This group will provide a deeper understanding of anxiety through Anxiety Rx while also offering accountability and support from others on the same journey.
📖 What: Therapeutic Book Group – Anxiety Rx
📅 When: Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm | March 26 - April 30, 2025
📍 Where: 1750 Lafayette St, Denver, CO
💰 Cost: $15 per session ($90 due at registration)
In this group, you’ll:
✔ Gain insight into how anxiety affects your mind and body
✔ Learn practical strategies to calm your nervous system
✔ Connect with others who understand your struggles
✔ Receive therapist-facilitated guidance for deeper self-reflection
Spots are limited! Register
today to reserve your place.
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