A Psychotherapist’s 15-Minute Routine to Overcome Anxiety | What Is the I.C.E Technique?
The Roots of Anxiety: How Anxiety Seeds Grow
Understanding Anxiety as a Response Mechanism
Anxiety is a natural survival response designed to alert us to danger. However, in modern society, this mechanism often becomes overactive, leading to chronic worry and stress. Small worries—like missing a deadline or health concerns—can trigger physiological symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and tightness in the chest.
The Cycle of Anxious Thoughts
Psychotherapist Sally Baker describes anxious thoughts as “seeds” planted in the mind. The more attention you give these thoughts, the more they grow. This cycle can quickly escalate into severe anxiety or panic attacks if left unchecked.
How Anxiety Becomes a Habit
When anxious thoughts repeatedly activate the body’s stress response, they reinforce neural pathways, making anxiety a habitual mental pattern. Recognizing this cycle is the first step toward breaking free from it.
