Why Quick Fixes Don’t Heal Anxiety (and what actually does)
If you’ve ever gone down the Google rabbit hole searching “how to calm anxiety quickly,” you’ve probably found endless lists of tips: ice baths, acupressure points, supplements, distraction techniques.
Some of them can help in the moment, while others leave you wondering why nothing really changes long-term.
I get it – when anxiety is running your life, you’ll try anything to feel like “yourself” again. But what most people don’t realise is that these little hacks don’t work if your nervous system is already stretched thin. You need something deeper than “just breathe” advice.
Why quick fixes fall short
Hacks can absolutely interrupt a spiral for a few minutes. Splashing cold water on your face can shift your body into a calmer state. A guided meditation can bring your heart rate down.
But these don’t retrain your nervous system – they patch over symptoms without changing the pattern underneath.
It’s like bailing water out of a leaking boat with a teacup. You might stay afloat for a while, but the leaks are still there.
What’s really going on in anxiety
Anxiety isn’t always about your thoughts – sometimes your body is the one pulling the strings. Things like:
Blood sugar dips from skipping meals or reactive hypoglycaemia
Gut microbiome imbalances that affect brain chemistry and mood
Chronic stress load from work, family, and the constant “on” of modern life
Anxiety about anxiety itself – once you’ve had a panic attack, your nervous system can stay hyper-alert, scanning for the next one
When these drivers stack up, your system doesn’t know the difference between a real threat and everyday life. That’s why anxiety shows up in situations that should feel fine.
The shift that changes everything
The turning point for so many of my clients is when they stop seeing anxiety as something to get rid of and start seeing it as a signal. A message. Your body is asking you to pay attention.
When you have tools to decode that message and support your physiology at the same time, things shift. You stop being at war with anxiety and start learning from it.
Where to go from here
If you’ve been leaning on anxiety hacks and wondering why you’re still stuck, you’re not alone. I spent years in that cycle myself before I understood the body-brain connection.
That’s why I created my Breaking the Anxiety Loop Masterclass and The Anxiety Roadmap course. They bring together everything I wish I’d known sooner: practical physiology, nervous system retraining, and real strategies you can apply to daily life.
Because you deserve more than “just cope.” You deserve a life that feels steady, calm, and free.
