The 5 Sneaky Mistakes Keeping You Anxious (and What to Do Instead)
If you're someone who's been stuck in the cycle of anxiety, constantly trying new wellness tips only to feel more frustrated, you're not alone.
In this post, we’re going to cover the five sneaky (and super common) mistakes that are keeping you stuck in anxiety mode and the practical, strategic tweaks that can help you break free.
Prefer to watch instead? You can watch the full video on YouTube here!
Mistake #1: Relying on Quick Fixes Instead of Addressing the Root Cause
You’ve probably been there: you feel anxious, so you reach for a supplement you saw on Instagram, book an extra yoga class, or force yourself to restart your meditation habit (again).
And yet… the anxiety is still hanging around like that one friend who doesn’t know when to leave the party.
Here’s the deal: while tools like yoga and meditation are great, they’re not going to fully heal anxiety if you’re ignoring the underlying root causes. Anxiety isn’t just mental, it can be physiological. Things like nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, poor blood sugar regulation, or gut issues can all contribute to chronic anxiety.
The Tweak: Test, don’t guess.
Lab testing is one of the most strategic ways to stop playing the supplement guessing game and start creating a plan that’s actually tailored to your body’s needs. You’ll want to look into:
Nutrient levels (like B vitamins, iron, and vitamin D)
Hormones (especially cortisol and thyroid function)
Blood sugar balance
Inflammation and gut health markers
Even if your labs have come back "normal" in the past, it’s worth working with a practitioner who can interpret your results using functional ranges (aka what’s optimal, not just average).
Want help figuring out what to ask for? Download the free Mental Health Lab Testing Guide to see exactly which labs to request and how to interpret your results.
Mistake #2: Running on Empty and Wondering Why You Feel Anxious
Here’s a typical anxious day: You wake up late, skip breakfast, chug coffee, run from task to task, crash at night scrolling TikTok… and repeat.
Meanwhile, your nervous system is waving red flags left and right, trying to let you know it’s totally overwhelmed.
If you’re skipping meals, overloading your calendar, and ignoring your sleep, it’s no wonder anxiety feels like it’s running the show.
The Tweak: Nourish your body and create space to reset.
Start your day with protein to keep blood sugar stable.
Build buffer time between meetings or obligations so you’re not sprinting all day.
Prioritize sleep by creating a calming nighttime routine.
Small, strategic shifts in how you support your body can go a long way in calming your mind.
Mistake #3: Doing the “Right” Anxiety Hacks but Missing Nervous System Regulation
You’re lighting candles, journaling, meditating, maybe even taking lavender baths and yet you still feel restless, wired, and on edge.
That’s because you’re skipping a key step: regulation before relaxation.
If your body is still in fight-or-flight mode, calming down with meditation alone can actually make you feel worse.
The Tweak: Focus on regulation first.
Before you sit down to meditate or journal, try:
Shaking out your arms and legs
Stretching or going for a short walk
Breathing techniques like humming or long exhales
These physical signals help your body feel safe, which makes your mind way more receptive to relaxing.
Mistake #4: Pushing Too Hard Outside Your Comfort Zone
You’ve heard the advice: “Growth happens outside your comfort zone.” So you throw yourself into a huge networking event or a brand new fitness class alone… and immediately spiral.
This kind of leap can be too much, too fast for your nervous system. Instead of building confidence, it reinforces that new situations = danger.
The Tweak: Go 5% outside your comfort zone - not 200%.
Meet a friend for coffee instead of attending a packed event.
Try a short home workout before heading to the gym.
Practice simple phone calls before a big interview.
These small, manageable steps build self-trust, which is essential for long-term anxiety healing.
Mistake #5: Living Without a Sense of Purpose (and Being Too Plugged In)
You know that feeling when you’ve been scrolling for hours and suddenly feel… kind of empty?
Doomscrolling might give your brain a quick dopamine hit, but it’s not the same as real joy, creativity, or connection. Without something that actually lights you up, your nervous system doesn’t get what it needs to truly feel fulfilled.
The Tweak: Find something that energizes you.
No, you don’t need to quit your job and move to Italy (unless you want to). But you do need something that makes you feel like a human again.
Revisit hobbies from childhood or try something creative just for fun
Set healthy tech boundaries (like phone-free mornings)
Start small: a morning writing ritual, an art project, a walk without headphones
The key is to balance consumption with creation, that’s when the spark starts to return.
Final Thoughts
These five mistakes are incredibly common and if any of them resonated with you, please know you’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong.
Healing anxiety isn’t about being perfect. It’s about getting curious, making strategic tweaks, and giving yourself permission to take small steps that actually move the needle.
Want more support? Be sure to download the Mental Health Lab Testing Guide and get clear on what’s going on beneath the surface. Knowledge is power and you deserve to feel better, faster.
And if you haven’t already, watch the full YouTube video here to hear all of this with some added real life examples and encouragement.
Until next time, I’m rooting for you every step of the way.