Anxiety vs. Intuition: How to Tell the Difference Physiologically

“Is this my intuition… or is this my anxiety?” It’s a common question. Both can feel urgent, emotional, and convincing. But physiologically, they are very different — and once your nervous system learns the difference, clarity replaces doubt.

Anxiety arises when the nervous system perceives threat. It comes with a racing chest, shallow or held breath, muscle tension, restlessness, urgency, and looping thoughts. Anxiety narrows attention, demands action, and pulls you into scanning and predicting.

Intuition, in contrast, arrives when the nervous system is regulated enough to receive subtle information. It feels grounded, quiet, steady, clear, and calm. It doesn’t rush or demand; it simply knows. Anxiety contracts; intuition organizes. Anxiety exhausts; intuition calms.

The key is regulation. When the nervous system has been in survival mode, anxiety dominates and intuition is drowned out. Hypnosis and somatic work help the nervous system shift into a receptive state, allowing intuition to be heard clearly. A simple daily check: “Does this feeling make my body tighten… or settle?” Tightening signals anxiety; settling signals intuition.

With practice, your body becomes a guide. Anxiety is loud because it’s protective; intuition is quiet because it’s steady. Learning to listen physiologically restores clarity, trust, and choice.