Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of unease or fear. It’s a natural reaction to situations that are stressful or dangerous and is designed to keep us safe from harm.
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, especially when facing a challenging or unfamiliar situation, or an important event. We’ve all felt our throat go dry, stomach churn and heart beat quicker when, for example, having a job interview or sitting an exam.
If under control, feeling a little anxious can even help us be alert and focused at times, like these, when we need to perform at our best.
Anxiety can become a problem, however, when it happens too often, feels overwhelming or goes on for too long. Some people can find it hard to control their anxious thoughts and this can start to affect their day-to-day life.