16/10/2025                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            This is how anxiety feels in our body.
I've used a cup to depict 'us' (ourselves, you, me, friend, stranger, we are all one cup) with clear chunks of space, [1] "stuff that we cant change", like trauma, childhood experiences, grief, injuries, etc, [2] Expected stress, like setting an alarm to get up, knowing we need meals, water, petrol in the car, etc, [3] Unexpected stress, unfortunate events, speeding fine, roadworks creating delays, unable to find a car park, running late for an appointment etc and [4] the final straw, or the thing that "tips is over the edge", is literally the thing that causes us to overflow (erupt!). It could be the smallest thing that really shouldn't bother us, but today, it does. 
When we are tipped over, everything gets stirred up and overflows (erupts!) we can no longer react in balanced ways, we are anxious and heightened. 
Eg.
forgot to put the dishwasher on
didn't sign those forms in time
unable to find a carpark close to appointment 
no time to grab lunch/coffee 
any of these scenarios are a great way to indicate if you react calmly and in a balanced way = not anxious, however if you get irritated, aggressive, teary or lose your temper = anxious. How can you react calmly if you are spilling over and not in balance??
Ask yourself how many times you:
- are irritable
- are quick to anger
- use verbal abuse/poor language/swear at someone
- have road rage
- cry (not happy tears, but overwhelmed or sadness tears)
- huff and puff under your breath 
- buy take away food because its too stressful at the end of the day to cook
These are all examples of being anxious. This is living in a heightened state. If you come and see me, I can teach you strategies to work through all of this so you live in a calm and balanced way, being aware of triggers (things that upset you) and using strategies and tools to help.
I'd love to teach you all I know.
Book in at www.blueheartscounselling.com.au - fill out a request form and I'll call you back for a free 15min chat to discuss some details and find availability. 
BLUE💙HEARTS💙COUNSELLING