(Originally published on Brainz Magazine)
Anxiety often feels automatic—like something that happens to you—because anxiety isn’t a mindset problem. It’s a body-based response, rooted primarily in the nervous system.
In this Brainz Magazine article, I explore why anxiety keeps returning despite insight or effort, and how healing becomes possible when we start with the body, not willpower.
Why Anxiety Feels Automatic
Anxiety is a protective response, not a personal flaw.
When the nervous system learns that the world feels unsafe or unpredictable, it stays on alert—creating recurring anxiety patterns even when there’s no immediate threat.
From both a modern nervous system lens and Traditional Chinese Medicine, anxiety reflects imbalance and overload, not weakness.
Start with the Body, the Mind Follows
Lasting calm doesn’t come from overriding thoughts. It begins by helping the body feels safe enough to settle.
When attention is brought to sensation—breath, tension, digestion, grounding—the nervous system receives new information. The mind naturally follows once the body no longer feels threat.
From Coping to Real Healing
Many anxiety tools focus on management: distraction, control, or suppression. Healing looks (and feels) different.
By noticing early bodily cues—tightness, restlessness, shallow breathin—you can ground before anxiety spirals, interrupting the pattern at its source rather than reacting after the fact.
Supporting Last Calm Holistically
True anxiety healing supports the whole system:
- Nervous system regulation
- Gut-brain connection and digestion
- Emotional processing through the body
In TCM, these systems are inseparable—reinforcing why anxiety can’t be resolved through mindset alone.
Discover a simple 3-step practice you can use anytime to begin healing anxiety + read the full article on Brainz Magazine →
Explore more practices:
If you’re experiencing anxiety, you may benefit from these practices:
Yin Yoga for Anxiety & Overstimulation
Walking Meditation for Anxiety
Continue your holistic healing with guided practices in the Holistic Library.
If you’re looking for exclusive free resources or ready for deeper root-level support, you’ll find everything here.
Jyllin weaves Eastern and Western wisdom through meridian yoga, mind-body practices, and holistic habits to restore body, mind, and nervous system balance. Explore her free resources and programs to continue your holistic journey.