Why Do Some People Suffer More With Anxiety Than Others?

Someone asked me inside OUR Membership last week why, if anxious thoughts is part of being human, do some people suffer more with anxiety than others. What a powerful question - I wanted to share my take on this with you:

Understanding Anxiety as Part of the Human Experience

Anxiety is a normal part of being human. It’s a feeling that comes from our thinking, but not everyone struggles with it in the same way. You may wonder, if anxiety is a natural part of life, why do some people experience overwhelming anxiety while others seem to move through it with ease? The answer lies in perspective.

The Role of Perspective in Anxiety

Struggle is subjective. One person may experience weeks or months of anxiety, while another may feel fleeting moments of it before moving on. The example my member gave in their question was that her husband experiences anxiety in passing - it comes and goes without lingering. But for her, there are times when anxiety feels like it took up permanent residence in her mind and I can relate to this as I felt the same for years, too.

We all have struggles, whether they manifest as anxiety, anger, over-drinking, or other habits. The form they take isn’t as important as the common thread that runs through them: resistance.

When we resist our experience, we hold onto it longer than necessary.

The MMA Fighter Analogy: Adrenaline vs. Fear

A great example of how perspective shapes our experience comes from my brother, who used to be a semi-professional MMA fighter. He once told me that when he steps into the ring, everything around him fades away. The sounds disappear, and for a moment, it feels like he’s in a completely different universe. The rush of adrenaline is so intense he almost feels like he could pass out.

To me, that sounds terrifying. But to him? That’s the thrill. He embraces it as part of the experience. He understands the adrenaline rush and doesn’t resist it - he actually enjoys it.

This is the same with anxiety. When we see it for what it is, rather than fear it, we experience it differently.

The Power of Thought in Our Experience of Anxiety

At the core of it all, we all experience our thoughts.

Whether someone struggles with their mental health or not, everyone has an innate wellbeing. The real struggle happens when we get caught up in our thoughts and move away from that wellbeing. The difference in how we experience anxiety comes down to how we interpret and react to those thoughts.

How the Three Principles Changed My Relationship with Anxiety

Sydney Banks’ Three Principles - Mind, Consciousness, and Thought (you can read more about those here) - helped me shift my perspective on anxiety by teaching me how our human minds really work. I no longer resist my anxious thoughts; instead, I allow my innate wellbeing to take over. I still have anxious moments, but they no longer define or control me. 

At one point in my life, I was hospitalised due to extreme anxiety, and told I had an anxiety disorder that I'd never be free from. Understanding The Three Principles changed everything for me, which is why I now dedicate my life to sharing it with others. The Three Principles are too powerful to remain unknown, and they hold the key to a life with less suffering and more peace.

I strongly believe this peace is something everyone has the ability to access with the right understanding

Want to Learn More?

If you’re ready to shift your experience of anxiety, I’d love to introduce you to these life-changing insights. Join me for my free 60-minute session: A Lesson Towards Clarity and take your first step toward true freedom from anxiety.