Most people see anxiety as something to fear and is hard to control. But what if anxiety is actually trying to tell you something? And in many cases you CAN do something to help.
In this episode of The Inner Pickle Podcast, therapist and coach Jilly Wootton explores anxiety from a different perspective. Rather than seeing anxiety as the enemy, you’ll discover how it can act as an intelligent signal pointing towards areas of misalignment in your life.
Jilly explains how anxiety affects the body, emotions and mind, why so many successful and capable people struggle with it, and how beliefs formed through life experiences can keep the nervous system on constant alert.
You’ll learn:
Why anxiety is often a messenger rather than a problem
🥒 How anxiety affects the body, emotions and thinking
🥒 The surprising connection between anxiety and people-pleasing
🥒 How perfectionism, control and fear of failure fuel anxiety
🥒 Why ignoring your intuition can increase anxiety
🥒 The role of food, stress and lifestyle factors
🥒 Powerful journaling questions to uncover what anxiety may be trying to tell you
🥒 Practical ways to begin moving towards greater calm and alignment
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, stuck in overthinking or frustrated by recurring anxiety, this episode offers a compassionate and practical perspective that may help you understand yourself more deeply.
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing severe, persistent, sudden, or worsening anxiety, or any concerning physical or mental health symptoms, please consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.
HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Anxiety: Problem or Message?
00:51 Important Disclaimer About Anxiety
01:24 Understanding Anxiety as an Alarm System
03:29 The Anxiety Spectrum: From Worry to Burnout
05:24 Why Anxiety Is So Common
06:03 How Anxiety Affects the Body
08:04 How Anxiety Affects Emotions and Thinking
10:06 Why Anxiety Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken
10:43 My Personal Experience of Anxiety
12:16 The Hidden Messages Behind Anxiety
12:31 Could Your Food Be Causing Anxiety?
15:11 How Beliefs Create Anxiety
18:03 Anxiety Makes It Hard To Access Your Intuition
20:25 Living Beyond Your Personal Capacity
21:43 Journaling Questions to Decode Anxiety
22:02 – When Does Your Anxiety Show Up?
22:48 – Looking at Your History
24:43 – What Feels Misaligned in Your Life?
25:35 Anxiety, Importance and Fear of Failure
27:14 How Trauma Shapes Anxiety
28:17 What To Do About It