Will My Anxiety Ever Go Away?

Ever feel like this?

As a therapist, one of the most common questions I hear is: "Will my anxiety ever go away?" If you’ve been asking yourself that question, please know—you’re not alone. Many people struggle with anxiety, and it’s a very normal thing to wonder if the tight chest, racing thoughts, or constant worry will ever stop.

The good news? Yes—anxiety can get better, and in many cases, it can go away or become so manageable that it no longer interferes with your life. But the path to healing can look different for everyone. In this post, I’ll explain what anxiety is, why it happens, and some of the most effective ways people reduce or even eliminate anxiety over time.

If you want support in walking through this - reach out.

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress or danger. It’s the feeling you get when your brain thinks something bad might happen. That’s why anxiety can show up before a test, a big meeting, or even just walking into a crowded room.

Anxiety can manifest in various forms.

Sometimes, though, anxiety sticks around even when there’s no real threat. You may feel nervous all the time, worry about everything, or avoid certain people or places. This is when anxiety starts to affect daily life—and it’s also when therapy can help.

Will My Anxiety Ever Go Away?

It depends on the type of anxiety you're experiencing, your lifestyle, your support system, and the tools you’re using to manage it. Some people find that anxiety fades with time, especially after a stressful life event passes. Others need to actively work on it through therapy, mindfulness, or other techniques.

But here's what I want you to hear clearly:

Anxiety is treatable. You don’t have to live with it forever, and it’s not something you just have to “deal with.” With the right help, most people see big improvements—and many find that their anxiety becomes a small part of their life instead of a constant presence.

Let’s look at some of the most effective ways people reduce or eliminate anxiety.

1. Therapy (Especially CBT)

Talking with a therapist is one of the most helpful things you can do if you're struggling with anxiety. In particular, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be very effective.

CBT helps you:

• Understand your anxiety triggers

• Identify unhelpful thinking patterns

• Learn to challenge and change those thoughts

• Build new behaviors that reduce anxiety

For example, someone with social anxiety might believe, “If I speak up, I’ll embarrass myself.” CBT helps them test that thought, see it more clearly, and build confidence over time.

Other types of therapy like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Exposure Therapy can also be helpful, depending on the kind of anxiety you have.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment without judging it. It can sound simple, but it’s powerful. Anxiety pulls you into the future—worrying about what might happen. Mindfulness helps you come back to right now.

You don’t have to sit still for an hour to be mindful. Here are a few easy ways to practice:

• Focus on your breathing for 60 seconds

• Notice five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste (a grounding technique)

• Eat a meal slowly, paying attention to the taste and texture

Research shows that regular mindfulness practice can lower anxiety symptoms and even change the way your brain handles stress.

3. Exercise and Movement

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s true: moving your body helps calm your mind.

Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which boost your mood and reduce stress. You don’t have to run a marathon—just going for a walk, dancing to music, or stretching for 10 minutes can make a big difference.

If you’re feeling anxious and stuck in your head, try getting up and moving around. Even short bursts of movement can help shift your focus and lower your body’s stress response.

4. Breathing Techniques

When you’re anxious, your breathing often becomes shallow and fast. That tells your brain that something is wrong, which makes you even more anxious. But you can reverse that.

Slow, deep breathing tells your nervous system: “I’m safe.”

Try this simple breathing technique:

• Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds

• Hold your breath for 4 seconds

• Exhale through your mouth for 6 seconds

• Repeat for a few minutes

Doing this a few times a day (or when anxiety spikes) can help you feel calmer and more in control.

5. Better Sleep and Nutrition

Lack of sleep and poor nutrition can make anxiety much worse. When your body is tired or not getting the nutrients it needs, it’s harder to manage stress.

Try to:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule

• Avoid too much caffeine or sugar

• Eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats

• Stay hydrated

It may seem small, but these habits support your brain and body in feeling more stable and less reactive to stress.

6. Medication (Sometimes)

For some people, therapy and lifestyle changes are enough. But others benefit from medication to help manage anxiety—especially if it's severe or impacting daily life.

There’s no shame in using medication. It can help balance brain chemicals and give you the relief you need to focus on healing. Some people take it short-term; others longer. It’s a decision to make with your doctor or psychiatrist.

7. Building a Support System

Anxiety can make you feel isolated, but you're not alone. Having people to talk to—whether friends, family, support groups, or a therapist—can help you feel more connected and less overwhelmed.

Let others know what you’re going through. Just saying, “Hey, I’ve been feeling really anxious lately,” can be a huge step. You don’t have to carry this on your own.

8. Avoiding Avoidance

One tricky thing about anxiety is that it often tells you to avoid what makes you uncomfortable. But the more you avoid, the more powerful anxiety becomes.

If you avoid driving, calling people, or leaving the house because of anxiety, it can become a cycle. Facing fears slowly and with support—what therapists call exposure—can help retrain your brain to see that you’re safe, even in those situations.

So, Will It Ever Go Away?

For many people, yes, anxiety does go away—or at least gets much smaller and easier to handle. But it usually takes work, patience, and support. There’s no instant fix, but with consistent effort, things can and do get better.

The first step is knowing that change is possible. The next step is asking for help. Whether that means starting therapy, trying breathing exercises, or just talking to someone about how you’re feeling—it all matters.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been wondering, “Will my anxiety ever go away?” I want you to know this:
It may not feel like it right now, but healing is possible. You are not broken. Your anxiety doesn’t define you—and you don’t have to go through this alone.

If you're ready to start working through your anxiety, we are here to help. Together, we can explore what’s going on, build coping tools, and create a path toward peace, one step at a time.

Interested in learning more or scheduling a session? Reach out today—your future self will thank you.