Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life. They help us navigate challenges, prepare for important events, and even stay safe in uncertain situations. However, when stress and anxiety grow overwhelming or start interfering with daily life, it may be time to seek support. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a compassionate framework to understand these feelings, helping us move toward a more balanced, value-driven life.
Here are five signs that it might be time to consider reaching out for help:
1. Your Thoughts Feel Like a Constant Battle
Do you find yourself stuck in a loop of "what ifs," catastrophizing, or struggling with self-critical thoughts? This experience happens when our thoughts feel so real and consuming that they dictate our actions and emotions.
What to look for:
Inability to focus on the present because of constant worry.
Feeling paralyzed by fear of making mistakes.
Ruminating on past failures or future uncertainties.
Why it matters:
ACT encourages us to notice and name these thoughts without needing to "fix" or fight them. Support from a therapist can help you learn how to step back and observe your thoughts with curiosity rather than judgment.
2. Your Emotions Are Overpowering or Numb
Do you feel like your emotions are running the show—or, conversely, like you’re disconnected from them? Both extremes can signal a need for support.
What to look for:
Intense emotional reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation.
Difficulty regulating feelings, like anger, sadness, or fear.
A sense of detachment or numbness, where even joy feels muted.
Why it matters:
ACT focuses on making allies out of our emotions, teaching us to make room for all feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. Seeking support can help you build a kinder relationship with your emotions, learning to acknowledge them without letting them overwhelm or define you.
3. Your Actions Aren’t Aligned with What Matters
When stress and anxiety take over, they often pull us away from the things we value most. You might notice you’re avoiding meaningful activities, struggling to show up for loved ones, or feeling out of sync with your goals.
What to look for:
Procrastinating or avoiding tasks that once felt important or enjoyable.
Letting fear guide decisions, like skipping social events or taking fewer risks at work.
Feeling unmotivated, disconnected, or purposeless.
Why it matters:
ACT emphasizes clarifying your values—what truly matters to you—and using them as a compass for your actions. A therapist can help you reconnect with these values and take small, meaningful steps back toward the life you want to lead. It may not happen all at once, but the idea is to make sustainable change and therapists can help teach you how to do that with long-lasting skills.
4. Your Body Is Sounding Alarms
Stress and anxiety don’t just live in the mind; they take up residence in the body too. Ignoring these physical signs can lead to long-term health consequences.
What to look for:
Trouble sleeping, frequent headaches, or muscle tension. Aches and pains without a clear reason why.
Changes in appetite or digestive issues.
Feeling constantly fatigued, even after rest.
Why it matters:
Physical symptoms are often your body’s way of saying, “I need care,” or “I need to slow down.” ACT encourages mindfulness, teaching you to tune in to your body with compassion and respond to its needs. Partnering with a professional can help you better understand and manage these signals, especially for those who often forget to check in with their body or actively ignore it.
5. You Feel Isolated or Unsupported
Stress and anxiety can make us withdraw, even when we need connection the most. If you feel alone in your struggles, it’s a clear sign that reaching out for help could make a difference.
What to look for:
Avoiding conversations about how you’re feeling.
Believing no one else could understand what you’re going through.
Feeling like a burden to others.
Feeling like you are undeserving of support and care.
Why it matters:
ACT highlights the importance of acceptance—not just of our own experiences, but of the support others can offer. Seeking professional guidance creates a safe space to explore these feelings and rebuild a sense of connection.
Taking the First Step Toward Support
Recognizing these signs is an act of courage and self-compassion. Stress and anxiety don’t have to dictate your days; with the right tools and support, you can learn to navigate them while still creating a life you value.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your own life, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. ACT-based therapy can help you move from struggle to meaningful action, guiding you to embrace your experiences while focusing on what truly matters. Whether you reach out to me, another therapist, or a trusted support system or person, remember: you don’t have to face this alone. You deserve care, connection, and a life guided by your own values.
If you'd like to learn more about how ACT can help with stress and anxiety, feel free to connect with me. I’d be honored to walk this path with you. Reach out by phone, email, socials, or through my website, and let’s take that first step together.
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