This post is based on a podcast about Stress and Anxiety.
Annyx Day is the founder and CEO of Living Life Above, Moving Yourself Forward, a RTT® Practitioner/Certified Hypnotherapist, and a RTC® Success Coach. She helps and guides her clients excel in their personal and professional lives.
Executive Contributor Annyx Day, B.A., M.A.
Stress and anxiety. If there are two words that have defined the last few years, these are them. And yet, many of us still struggle to understand what they actually are, where they come from, and—most importantly—how to move beyond them.
Let me start by defining these terms, because personal definitions can vary widely.
Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by difficult situations. It is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It can even be beneficial—it alerts us to danger and helps us prepare and pay attention. Think of the fight-or-flight response. That is good anxiety.
But when anxiety becomes prolonged, excessive, or starts to interfere with daily life, it crosses into anxiety disorder. That is when we need to take action.
Common Signs of Stress and Anxiety
You may be experiencing stress if you feel:
- Irritable, angry, or impatient
- Overwhelmed or overburdened
- Anxious, nervous, or afraid
- Like your thoughts are racing and you cannot switch them off
- Unable to enjoy yourself or feel interested in life
- Numb, disinterested, or even depressed
And anxiety disorder can include:
- Excessive fear or worry
- Panic attacks
- Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or nausea
- Intrusive thoughts or images
- Nightmares
What Causes Stress and Anxiety?
At its core, stress is caused by a lack of control over an outcome. It is the feeling that something is happening to you, rather than with you. When you cannot control a situation, your mind spins. It tries to prepare for every possible outcome—and that is exhausting.
Anxiety, on the other hand, often stems from deeper roots. It can be triggered by a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. And yes, that can include:
- War or combat exposure
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- A serious accident or injury
- Witnessing violence or trauma
- The sudden loss of a loved one
- A life-threatening illness or diagnosis
One term I want to address is PTSD—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many people associate PTSD with military veterans, but it can affect anyone who has experienced trauma. First responders, survivors of abuse, victims of assault, and even children who witness domestic violence can develop PTSD.
Symptoms include vivid flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, intense distress at reminders of the trauma, nightmares, and physical sensations like pain, sweating, or trembling.
My Personal Journey with Anxiety
I want to share my own story, because I believe it helps to know that I have been where you are.
I experienced anxiety for years. It stemmed from my childhood—from a situation where I had no control over. As a child, I could not defend myself or change my circumstances. I learned to cope by trying to control everything around me as an adult. If I controlled the outcome, I told myself, bad things would not happen or at least I would be prepared.
But that is exhausting. And it is not sustainable.
When I received RTT® as a client, I went into hypnosis to address my anxiety. What my subconscious mind revealed was remarkable. It took me to three distinct childhood scenes—all of which involved a loss of control. As a result, I had carried that feeling into adulthood, and it manifested as the need to control every situation, every outcome.
During the session, I had powerful aha moments. I understood, for the first time, why I did what I did. I recognized that I was no longer that helpless child. I am an adult. I have a voice. I have tools. I can protect myself and speak up for myself.
RTT® helped me:
- Acknowledge what I had experienced and recognize that it was unfair
- Heal those emotional wounds
- Let go of the need to control everything—not with anger, but with peace
- Shift my thinking to focus on what I could control: my thoughts and my responses
What RTT® Can Do for You
If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, or trauma, RTT® can help you:
Go to the root. We do not just manage symptoms. We uncover the origin of your anxiety—often in childhood—and address it directly.
Gain perspective. During hypnosis, your subconscious mind will reveal connections you never made before within your conscious mind. You will finally understand why you react the way you do.
Heal emotional wounds. We use specific techniques to release the pain and reframe the experience.
Shift your thinking. When you change your thoughts, you change your feelings. When you change your feelings, you change your actions. And when you change your actions, you change the events in your life.
Regain your power. Many people who have experienced trauma feel powerless. RTT® helps you reclaim your control—not over others, but over yourself.
What You Can Do Right Now
The only thing you can control in life are your thoughts. That is the foundation of RTT®—and the foundation of inner peace.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, try this:
- Identify what you can control in a given situation. Focus on that.
- Let go of what you cannot control. Remind yourself that worrying does not change outcomes.
- Ask yourself: What is my thought right now? Is it serving me?
- Practice shifting your thought to something more empowering.
Your Invitation
If you are tired of feeling overwhelmed, if your thoughts are racing and you cannot switch them off, or if you are carrying the weight of past trauma, I would be honored to guide you.
You do not have to stay stuck. You can heal. You can find peace.
📞 613-797-8096
📧 annyx@livinglifeabove.com
🌐 LivingLifeAbove.com
I am accepting new clients. Your breakthrough starts today.
