Anxiety often arises when our sense of safety—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—feels threatened or uncertain. At its core, anxiety is the body’s natural response to perceived danger, even when no immediate threat is present. This can make everyday situations feel overwhelming, especially if someone has experienced trauma, instability, or prolonged stress in the past. Feeling unsafe, even in subtle ways like financial insecurity, relationship tension, or constant unpredictability, can activate the body’s fight-or-flight system, leading to symptoms like racing thoughts, restlessness, or physical discomfort. Recognizing this connection between anxiety and the need for safety can help us approach anxiety with more compassion and understanding.
Creating a sense of internal and external safety can be an important step in managing anxiety. This might involve developing routines, setting boundaries in relationships, or making your physical space feel more calming and secure. Emotional safety can also come from learning to trust your own reactions, practicing self-soothing techniques like deep breathing or grounding exercises, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. While anxiety might not disappear completely, feeling safe in your life gives your nervous system the reassurance it needs to relax. Over time, this helps you respond to stressors with more resilience and less fear.
Louise Hay, a pioneer in the field of metaphysical healing, believed that anxiety stems from a lack of trust in the flow of life and an overwhelming need to control every aspect of the future. In her view, anxiety is rooted in fear—particularly fear of not being safe or supported—and often reflects unresolved emotional patterns from the past. According to Hay, the mental habit of worrying is linked to not feeling good enough or secure enough, which creates internal tension and unease. She emphasized that healing anxiety involves shifting thought patterns, affirming self-worth, and cultivating a deep sense of inner peace and trust. One of her suggested affirmations for anxiety is: “I love and approve of myself and I trust the process of life. I am safe.”
