What if your anxiety isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you—but proof that your body learned how to survive?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores how anxiety often comes from past trauma, not just present-day stress. She breaks down how the nervous system learns to stay on high alert, why collective stress can amplify those responses, and how to gently support your body back into safety.

You’ll learn grounding and mindfulness tools, how to reframe anxiety as a protective strategy, and why healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about understanding it with compassion and patience.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I so anxious when nothing is wrong?”—this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Anxiety can be a trauma response, not just stress.
2. The body learns to stay alert from past trauma.
3. Reframing anxiety as a protective strategy is crucial.
4. Gentle check-ins can help manage anxiety.
5. Mindfulness practices can aid in grounding.
6. Collective stress affects our individual nervous systems.
7. Setting media boundaries is essential for mental health.
8. Healing involves understanding, not erasing the past.
9. Your emotional responses are valid and make sense.
10. Change is possible with support and patience.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Anxiety Beyond Stress

03:28 Tools for Managing Anxiety

04:33 Collective Stress and Its Impact

05:58 Resources for Healing and Support

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anxiety, trauma response, nervous system, emotional responses, mindfulness, grounding practices, collective stress, media boundaries, healing, mental health