31/03/2026
Habits That Quietly Increase Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t always caused by one big thing.
Often, it’s maintained by small habits that feel helpful in the moment — but actually keep the cycle going.
Some common ones include:
• Reassurance seeking – asking others if everything is okay or if you’ve done something right
• Avoiding uncomfortable situations – which can make them feel even harder next time
• Overthinking and analysing – trying to work things out in your head repeatedly
• Googling symptoms or scenarios – searching for certainty or answers
• Trying to control every outcome – to prevent something going wrong
These habits usually reduce anxiety temporarily.
But over time, they can teach the brain that these situations are dangerous and need to be managed carefully.
This can keep anxiety feeling strong and persistent.
A helpful step is simply beginning to notice these patterns — not to judge yourself, but to understand what might be keeping the anxiety going.
👉 If anxiety is something you’ve been struggling with, CBT with Gemini Counselling can help you understand these patterns and develop more helpful ways of responding.
You’re welcome to get in touch to find out more.
www.gemini-counselling.com