The Hidden Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety (And How to Finally Let Go)

Does this sound familiar? On the outside, everything looks fine. Better than fine—productive, composed, successful. You’ve got the calendar filled, the to-do list checked off, and the image—curated. But on the inside, it’s a whole other story. You’re full of anxiety that always seems to be there; silent and overpowering.

If this sounds like you, you might be living with high-functioning anxiety.

I’ve helped hundreds of people struggling with chronic anxiety, and many don’t realize that their constant drive to do more, be more, fix more… is actually fueled by an overactive nervous system stuck in survival mode. It doesn’t look like anxiety from the outside, but that’s what makes it so slippery.

Let’s dig into what this form of silent anxiety really feels like, how to spot it, and why learning to let go—physically, emotionally, and somatically—might be the path to peace you didn’t know you needed.

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What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?

High-functioning anxiety is exactly what it sounds like: you’re outwardly functioning, but inwardly anxious. It’s the kind of anxiety that often gets praised. You’re responsible. Dependable. Driven. But also: restless. On edge. In your head. Often, no one knows—because you’ve become a master of coping.

This isn’t about weakness. It’s about your nervous system doing what it was designed to do: protect you. The problem is, it’s stuck in a constant state of high alert.

7 Signs You May Be Living with High-Functioning Anxiety

• Overthinking every decision, even the small ones.
• Struggling to rest, even when you’re exhausted.
• Constant self-criticism, despite external praise.
• Need to stay busy to avoid discomfort or stillness.
• Feeling guilty when you slow down.
• Perfectionism or people-pleasing that drains you.
• Physical symptoms like jaw clenching, tight chest, shallow breath, or insomnia.

These are classic signs of chronic anxiety—but they often fly under the radar, especially in high achievers.

Why It’s So Hard to Get Help

Here’s the thing: you’ve probably tried a bunch of things… therapy, meditation, yoga. And maybe some of it helped—but they didn’t stick.

Why?

Because most anxiety tools focus only on the mind. But high-functioning anxiety is just as much about the body—a body that’s been in a holding pattern for too long. And being vulnerable when you’re used to being the strong one? That’s its own hurdle. I know. I’ve been there.

What’s Really Happening in Your Nervous System

Think of your nervous system as a symphony conductor—coordinating all the instruments (your organs and muscles) so your body performs in harmony. When you’re in fight, flight, or freeze, everything is louder: thoughts race, muscles tense, sleep evades. You’re not broken—you’re just in protection mode. Silent anxiety often keeps us in this overdrive state without us realizing it. And when we stay there too long, it leads to emotional burnout, numbness, irritability, and eventually, shutdown.

The antidote? A nervous system reset—one that starts with the body, not the brain.

Tools to Let Go (That Actually Work)

If you want lasting anxiety relief, you need to go beyond coping and start reconditioning. Here are a few of the most effective tools I’ve used and taught:

a. Breathwork

• Slow breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system—your rest-and-digest state.
• High ventilation breathwork helps discharge stored tension and reset your inner thermostat.

Breath is the fastest way I know to tell your body, “Hey—it’s safe now.” Go to our Yoga Breathing page to find tutorials on specific breathing techniques as well as sessions that are designed to calm or invigorate the nervous system and help relieve anxiety.

b. Mindfulness

• Learning to observe your thoughts without reacting can give you power back over them.
• It’s not about being calm—it’s about being present and learning to apply that within every moment of every day.

Check out our guided meditation videos and guided mediation audio tracks on DoYogaWithMe. Also, we have plenty of classes on DoYogaWithMe that combine breathwork and mindfulness, such as my 56-min class called Pranayama and Meditation to Heal the Chakras. Doing a longer class that incorporates both can create big positive shifts that last longer.

c. Movement

• Gentle yoga, somatic shaking, or dance can discharge anxiety held in muscles and fascia.
• Even 10 minutes can create an internal shift.

Check out our online yoga classes for stress and anxiety.

d. Self-Touch or Pressure

• Placing your hand on your heart, or using weighted blankets, can regulate the nervous system.
• You don’t have to do—you just have to feel.

The Real Shift Happens When You Stop Trying to Fix Yourself

One of the most profound realizations I’ve had—and what I teach in my programs—is this:

You don’t need to fix your thoughts. You need to help your body feel safe.

When you start from this place, everything changes. You stop seeing yourself as broken. You stop chasing. You begin to feel at home in your own skin again.

Letting go isn’t passive. It’s a skill. And it’s one that can completely change your relationship with anxiety.

If This Is You, You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re a professional, a parent, a leader—or all of the above—living with high-functioning anxiety can feel isolating. But the truth is, more people are struggling with it than ever before.

The good news is, there’s a way through. Not by doing more—but by doing less. Slowing down. Learning to listen to your body. Creating safety from the inside out. This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about returning to who you are, beneath the noise.

If you’re ready to start that journey, I’ve got your back. Reach out anytime or fill out my Personal Preference Survey.