Is It Intuition or Is It Anxiety? Get To Know Your Gut Feelings
At the blossoming age of 23, I experienced some of the worst anxiety I had come to know. I had just finished University and was living on my own for the first time. The constant influx of fear surrounding my uncertain path in life, my health, my romantic relationship, and my ability as a creative person was incredibly overwhelming. I constantly felt tortured by uncertainty, with my anxiety often telling me to decline situations and avoid unknowns.
And because of these newfound anxiety levels, I really struggled with the idea of intuition. I would wonder if the anxious thoughts were rooted in my intuition, ultimately telling me the direction I should take. Our society often pushes us messages like “doubt means don’t” (even though doubt is a normal part of growing, changing, and taking risks). So naturally, the feelings of fear that anxiety brought on felt like my inner compass telling me don’t do it.
Not to mention, both anxiety and intuition often create sensations in the gut, making it especially confusing. After many anxious months, I sought resources that helped me differentiate the two and found a sense of liberation and relief because of my newfound knowledge. Now in my late 20s and with even more research and experience under my belt, here’s what I’ve found to be true about these two gut feelings.
Putting Anxiety Into Perspective
Anxiety is like the detective part of our brain. It’s constantly scanning the environment and different situations for danger. And if you’ve ever landed on one of the many CSI mega-series during an evening television binge, you’ll know that detectives are never right 100% of the time. Anxiety is often just our brain’s search for meaning (that would explain the racing thoughts) — it rarely gives any solid answers.
Putting Intuition Into Perspective
Alternatively, intuition feels easy, quiet, and transparent. Although it can be challenging for people to hear intuitive signals over their anxious mental chatter, this aspect of our human design is undeniably powerful when we need it most. For example, if we’re in danger and our fear stimulus sounds an alarm, our intuition tells us what to do without any measurable thought. At a moment’s notice, we’re taking action. No questions asked, no prolonged series of pros and cons. For some reason, we just know what to do when intuition has center stage.
How Can We Tell the Difference?
There are many ways to distinguish intuition from anxiety, but it helps to get to know each of them and characterize how they feel. Here are some common defining factors:
- Intuition feels affirmative. Anxiety feels prohibitive.
- Intuition is led by the body. Anxiety is led by thoughts.
- Intuition feels neutral. Anxiety feels negative.
- Intuition is gentle and agreeable. Anxiety is forceful and problematic.
- Intuition is present. Anxiety fixates on the future.
Another way to tell the difference is to start paying attention to how long the feeling lasts. As mentioned, an intuitive sense will usually interrupt common thought patterns to get a message across in a short and succinct manner. As a short-lived reaction to your situation — it won’t stick around for hours on end and muddle your entire day. That’s because intuition doesn’t depend on a constant loop of thoughts, unlike anxiety.
And as many of us know, anxiety is not so considerate in getting to the point. When we’re berated by anxiety, the feeling can last for indeterminable amounts of time and weave itself into every thought, situation, and experience. Rather than the moment of clarity that intuition gives us, anxiety often makes everything more confusing and overwhelming, taking up space in your head regardless of its relevance to your current experience.
Slow Down and Listen to Your Body (Not Your Thoughts)
Taking a cognitive approach may feel difficult when we’re drowning in a sea of anxious thoughts. If you’ve been hyper-focused on a specific scenario and you’re wondering whether it’s your intuition or anxiety running the show, try letting your body do the talking. To do this, you’ll want to create an environment that calms your mind and puts your body in the limelight:
1. Create a private space where you won’t be interrupted (parking your car in a quiet area is an easy option).
2. Make yourself comfortable and avoid being too hot or too cold.
3. Take several deep breaths. Focus on each breath as it goes in and out. Imagine the tension leaving your body with each exhale.
4. Continue slowly breathing until you notice your thoughts quieting down and a sense of calm (it will happen eventually!)
Once you’ve accomplished those steps (it might take a few tries), it’s time to listen to the body. Speaking out loud, say the scenario, person, or question you need guidance with. Once spoken, don’t let your mind take the topic any further. Instead, try to feel a reaction in your body, noticing any physical sensations that arise.
If you receive an answer that feels neutral and without any strings attached or pathways to other thoughts, you’ll know that your intuition came through. If your mind starts racing and your heart rate increases, your anxiety just stole the show once again. But don’t be deterred! You can try this exercise as often as you like and you’ll get better each time. The more we tap into our breath and bodily sensations, the closer we get to our intuition. And the more we rely on our intuition; the less space anxiety has to roam free.
Hopefully, this article gave you some knowledge and tools that will aid you during a bout of anxiety. Intuition and anxiety are not one and the same, and they don’t intermingle. But anxiety is louder than intuition, so know that you can always return to your breath as a way to quiet your thoughts and tune into your intuitive power.
Questions or feedback? Email me at lorraineoliviamedia@gmail.com.
