Is Anxiety Your Body’s Way of Protecting You?

Anxiety is uncomfortable. It makes your heart race, your thoughts spiral, and your body feel like something is definitely wrong—even when tests say otherwise.

But what if anxiety isn’t the enemy? What if it’s your body’s way of protecting you—especially if you've ever been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or blindsided by your health?

Many women carry the trauma of being told their symptoms were “just stress” or “nothing serious”… only to later discover something was, in fact, very wrong. That’s not just frustrating. That’s scarring. So it’s no wonder your nervous system stays on high alert.

The Truth About Health Anxiety

Health anxiety after a major event (or years of being ignored) isn’t irrational. It’s your brain going:
🧠 “Never again. We’re not missing this next time.”

That sensitivity—what feels like “overreacting”—is your body trying to make sure you don’t go through the same trauma twice.

It’s trying to protect you. It’s trying to keep you alive.

How to Work With Anxiety, Not Against It:

1. Validate first, fix second.
   Instead of fighting the feeling, try saying: “It makes sense I’m feeling this way.”
   
2. Understand the message.
   Ask: “What is this anxiety trying to protect me from? What does it need me to notice?”
   
3. Balance vigilance with compassion.
   You don’t have to ignore every twinge. But you also don’t have to spiral. Find your middle ground.
   
4. Create new experiences of safety.
   Doing things that feel calming, predictable, and body-affirming (like walking, breathing, journaling) helps teach your nervous system: we’re safe now.
   
5. Watch for hyper-control.
   Anxiety often shows up as over-Googling, obsessively tracking symptoms, or jumping from doctor to doctor. These are normal behaviours—but they don’t create safety. Self-trust does.
   

You’re Not Broken—You’re Alert

Your body has learned that it’s not always safe to ignore its signals. That’s wisdom. But now it’s time to build new trust—not by suppressing the anxiety, but by listening without panic.

If you want to hear more about how to rebuild trust in your body—especially after trauma or misdiagnosis—tune into Episode #7: From Kidney Loss to Inner Strength: How to Advocate for Your Health with Confidence.