Anxious for No Reason? What’s Really Happening in Your Nervous System
What if there isn’t one big reason you’re anxious?
In this episode, Becca is joined by Caroline Foran, journalist, author and host of the Owning It anxiety podcast, to explore why anxiety can become overwhelming even when, on paper, everything seems fine.
Caroline shares her experience of going from panic attack to panic attack without a single trauma or event she could blame, and why understanding her nervous system changed the way she approached anxiety.
They discuss the pressure to control your thoughts, why manifestation and toxic positivity can create more self-blame, and why you can’t simply think your way out of a body stuck in fight or flight. They also explore how modern life, social media, constant stimulation, poor sleep and never allowing ourselves to rest can gradually push the nervous system towards hypervigilance.
Caroline explains why overcoming anxiety isn’t about never feeling anxious again, why self-compassion was the missing piece in her own recovery and how small experiences of safety can be more powerful than throwing another ten wellness tools at yourself.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why anxiety doesn’t need one obvious cause
- The difference between stress and anxiety
- Why trying to control anxious thoughts can make things worse
- How chronic stress can push the nervous system towards hypervigilance
- Why modern life and constant stimulation can fuel anxiety
- Why your comfort zone is important for recovery
- How scrolling affects your nervous system
- Why nervous system regulation doesn’t mean never feeling stressed
- Why self-compassion can be essential for overcoming anxiety
- How to identify what actually helps your nervous system
Join the Rebalance Membership for practical support with nervous system regulation, sleep and building habits that work for your body: https://healthwithholland.com/r_membershp_/
CHAPTERS:
[00:00] Why You Can Feel Anxious for No Reason
[01:30] Caroline’s Experience of Crippling Anxiety
[05:38] Has the Wellness Industry Made Anxiety Worse?
[07:40] Manifestation, Anxious Thoughts & Self-Blame
[11:40] Understanding Your “Anxiety Goggles”
[13:07] Stress vs Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
[15:29] When Life Looks Fine But You Still Feel Anxious
[20:00] How the Modern World Fuels Anxiety
[26:10] Why We Need Our Comfort Zones
[27:05] Sleep, Stress & Nervous System Regulation
[28:10] What Scrolling Does to Your Nervous System
[32:00] Learning to Tolerate Boredom Again
[36:44] When Distraction Can Actually Help Anxiety
[39:33] Finding What Works for Your Nervous System
[44:00] Why More Nervous System Tools Aren’t Better
[46:18] Regulation Doesn’t Mean Always Being Calm
[49:35] Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Anxiety Support
[52:01] Self-Compassion, Exercise & Overcoming Anxiety
CONNECT & LEARN MORE:
Becca Holland
You can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, where I share practical education on nervous system regulation, women’s health and sustainable behaviour change.
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate you subscribing, leaving a review or sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.
Ready to go deeper?
Join the Rebalance Membership for simple, practical support with nervous system regulation, sleep and building habits that support your body: https://healthwithholland.com/r_membershp_/
You’ll also find courses, resources and more podcast episodes at: healthwithholland.com
Caroline Foran
Caroline Foran is a journalist, three-time author and host of Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast, which has been downloaded more than 6.5 million times.
Her new book, Everything I Wish I’d Known About Anxiety, draws on her own experience of crippling anxiety and offers a structured roadmap for understanding and moving through it.
Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carolineforan
Look for Everything I Wish I’d Known About Anxiety online and wherever you buy books.
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate you subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.
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