Anxiety vs Anxiousness: 5 Signs You're Living in Low-Grade Stress
Jul 20, 2025
Ever feel like something’s just... off?
You’re not in a full-blown panic. You’re getting things done. But underneath it all, there’s a hum of tension. A sense of unease that’s hard to shake.
That quiet discomfort? That’s not “just life.” It might be anxiousness—an often-overlooked state that keeps high achievers stuck in stress without even realizing it.
In this post, we’ll unpack the difference between anxiousness and anxiety, help you recognize where you are, and guide you through practical ways to reclaim your calm using my proven 4R Method: Recognize, Release, Rewire, and Radiate.
Understanding Anxiousness vs. Anxiety
Let’s start here: anxiousness is a state, while anxiety is more often a diagnosis. Both affect your nervous system. Both influence how you show up—in your work, your relationships, your leadership. But they require different responses.
Anxiousness feels like:
- That unsettled feeling you get before a big meeting
- Overthinking minor decisions
- A background buzz of worry or restlessness
Anxiety (in clinical terms) includes:
- Persistent worry that disrupts daily life
- Panic attacks or physical symptoms like chest tightness
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Why this distinction matters:
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, over 60% of employees report anxiety at work, but not all require clinical intervention (adaa.org). Knowing the difference empowers you to seek the right support.
Signs You May Be Experiencing Anxiousness:
- Feeling tense or wired for no clear reason
- Struggling to slow your mind at night
- Getting easily frustrated or distracted
- Constant multitasking but feeling like you’re not doing enough
These aren’t personality flaws. They’re signals. And when you tune into them early, you can shift before they spiral.
Recognize – Your First Step Toward Awareness
Awareness is the first pillar of transformation.
Use this check-in:
- What emotion is most present right now?
- When did this sensation start?
- Is it constant, or does it show up in certain environments (like work or parenting)?
Start a daily “Mind State Scan.” Just one minute to pause, breathe, and name what you're feeling—without judgment.
Remember, naming your emotional state lowers the brain’s reactivity (as shown in MBSR studies led by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn) and is a powerful act of self-regulation (NIH Study on MBSR).
Release – Let Go of Tension with Energy and Breath
When we ignore anxiousness, it stores in the body. Releasing it isn’t just mental—it’s somatic and energetic.
Try these:
- Box Breathing: Inhale for 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. Repeat for 2 minutes.
- Energy Shake-Out: Stand, breathe, shake your arms and legs. You’ll feel silly—and lighter.
- Reiki Clearing: Place your hands over your chest an/or belly and imagine golden light clearing your energy. Learn more on my Reiki services page.
Release doesn’t mean escape. It means acknowledge and let go.
Rewire – Shift Your Brain, Shift Your Life
Once we’ve created space, we can intentionally fill it with new thought patterns.
This is where my coaching approach comes alive.
Inspired by Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work on neuroplasticity (Can You Change Your Brain?), I guide my clients to:
- Use visualization to create a “future self” who is calm and clear
- Practice thought interruption—catching negative loops and replacing them with new affirmations
- Align breath, body, and belief to form new emotional anchors
Tools like these are central to my Rewire & Radiate program, which supports daily rewiring with guided meditations and energy resets.
Radiate – Bring Peace Into Every Room You Enter
This is the ripple effect.
When you’re calm, grounded, and self-aware, your energy shifts the room—without saying a word.
This is especially critical for my executive and entrepreneurial clients. You don’t just want to feel better. You want to show up as the leader, parent, and partner you know you can be.
- Calm radiates clarity.
- Peace invites trust.
- Grounded energy magnetizes opportunities.
If you’re ready to fully embody this, I invite you to explore my Executive Coaching program, designed for conscious, heart-centered leadership.
Why This Method Works (And What Makes It Different)
My clients often say, “You’re not like other coaches.” And they’re right.
What sets me apart isn’t just the method. It’s the experience—personal and professional—that shaped it.
- I’ve lived this journey. I rebuilt from burnout as a mom, wife, and business owner.
- I blend science + spirituality. From mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to Reiki to Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work on rewiring the brain, it’s all integrated.
- It’s not one-size-fits-all. I create custom meditations, energy tools, and strategies based on where you are and where you want to go.
- I work with the whole person. Mind. Body. Energy. Emotion. All of you is welcome here.
Benefits You Can Expect:
- Deeper sleep and increased energy
- Stronger focus and emotional resilience
- Less reactivity, more clarity
- Inner peace that stays—even when life gets chaotic
“Working with Nancy through her Rewire and Radiate program has been life-changing. Her insights and guided tools helped me tune into my body, find mental clarity, and feel lighter—both emotionally and energetically. Her energy is contagious, and every session leaves me feeling more like my best self.”
— Karen H.
Where to Go From Here
If this post resonated with you:
- Bookmark it as your go-to reset when life feels off-center
- Share it with a friend, colleague, or loved one who may be silently struggling with stress or overwhelm
- Check out Rewire & Radiate — my life coaching program designed to help you break free from unconscious patterns and create a life by design, not by default
- Explore Reiki to experience the benefits of energetic healing—clearing emotional and mental blockages, restoring balance, and promoting deep relaxation
- Consider Executive Coaching if you're a professional ready to integrate conscious leadership and peak performance into both your personal and professional life
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