When? How? So many questions …
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| | | | I know that I have a strong intuition. My "sixth sense" is great at sussing out seemingly kind yet manipulative people or when a place or situation just feels … off. | | I'm also an anxious person who struggles with self-doubt and overthinking everything. This means that my intuitive gut feelings are often overshadowed by my silly little brain that tries to dissuade me under the guise of "logic" or "reason." *sigh* | | How can you really tell when to listen to your gut? What's the difference between intuition and anxiety? This is something I'm actively working on in therapy — and what we'll be covering in today's main story. | | | | TGIF,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
August 30, 2024 • 4.5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Gut feelings are real, but when should you trust them? | Gut feelings can take many forms: - a flash of clarity
- tension or tightness in your body
- a pit in your stomach
- goosebumps
- a feeling of being at peace
- a nagging voice that you just can't ignore
They can also look and feel a lot like anxiety or paranoia, which is probably why I have such a hard time decoding which is which. But there are some key differences to pay attention to. ️ | | Intuition often leads you in a clear direction in the present moment, while anxious thoughts are erratic and focus on future outcomes. Gut feelings pass once you make a decision and usually leave you with a sense of relief. But anxiety lingers and makes you think twice — or 20 times — about your choice, leading you to doubt yourself and look for potential threats that may be irrational. | | Here's a personal example for you. I recently debated signing the lease on a new apartment. The location, size, and price all aligned with my needs, the landlord was super kind, and it felt like home when I went to the showing. I even called my mom after I got in my car and said, "That's my place! I know it." ️ | | I found out my application was approved 3 days later. Yay! Right? Nope. My brain immediately spiraled into every worst-case scenario and potential reason why I should say no, overpowering every positive thought and feeling beforehand. | | The dog downstairs is going to bark at all hours and ruin my life! Even though I didn't hear it when I visited. | | The neighbors are going to throw parties and disrupt my sleep. Despite the landlord saying they're quiet and respectful. | | I'm going to lose my job and not be able to afford the rent! Healthline, please don't fire me. | | When I finally tuned out of my head and grounded into my body, I felt a strange sense of calm — almost a deep knowing — that I should take the leap and go for it. Yes, change is scary, which is probably what spiked my anxiety, but I decided to sign the lease, and I've felt excited and confident about the move ever since! Take that, anxiety. | You may not always have enough experience or important details before making a decision. You might want to rely on your intuition for more insight in times like these: - when you can separate it from wishful thinking
- when you need to make a quick decision
- when you're trying to get in touch with your needs
- when you lack data (tap into your emotions!)
| | As an anxious person, trusting my gut doesn't always come naturally. I'm good at tapping into it in lower stakes situations, but I still talk through bigger decisions with my therapist or best friend to play it safe. I'm hoping I'll get better at trusting myself with enough practice. All I know is listening to my gut hasn't steered me wrong yet — but anxiety definitely has. | | | 💌 Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for our Anxiety & Depression newsletter with one click here!️ | | | | | | |
| | | | Moleskin forever | | | | |  | | Moleskine Classic Notebook | | Moleskin is my all-time favorite notebook. I've spilled my heart and taken notes in so many throughout my life. I currently use my purple one to list what I want to cover in therapy each week and jot down helpful quotes or homework from my therapist during our sessions. It comes in a bunch of different colors and lined, dotted, or blank pages for drawing, journaling, or any other purpose you need. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | *It can not be combined with your health insurance. Healthline and Optum Perks are owned by RVO Health. By using this Optum Perks service, we may receive a tangible benefit. | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! Do you have any interesting stories from a time you've trusted your gut and how that worked out for you? Tell me about it at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition.)
PS: So many of you reached out to let us know you yawned while reading our recent newsletter about why we yawn. Gotcha! 😜 | | | | | | |
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