By Rick Saruna, Founder and Clinical Director, Body & Mind Natural Health, Windsor, Ontario
You have tried the breathing apps. You have read the articles. Maybe you have even had counselling before, and it helped for a while. Then the anxiety came back: the racing thoughts at 3 a.m., the tight chest before a meeting, the “what if” spiral that will not stop. If that sounds like you, there is usually a reason it keeps returning.
You are far from alone. Statistics Canada found that the share of Canadians aged 15 and older with generalized anxiety disorder doubled in ten years, from 2.6% in 2012 to 5.2% in 2022 (source). And that counts only people who meet the full diagnosis. Many more live with anxiety that never gets a label.
Anxiety is a signal, not the root
Anxiety is your nervous system’s alarm. It goes off when part of you senses danger. The problem is that the alarm can get stuck “on,” set off by something that is not dangerous at all: a phone call, a crowd, a deadline, a memory.
Most approaches teach you to turn the volume down and live with the noise. But if the thing that set the alarm in the first place is never dealt with, the alarm keeps ringing. After more than 30 years and over 36,000 sessions, I have found that anxiety almost always has a starting point.
“We don’t teach coping skills. Why would we teach you to accept what you don’t like? Instead we identify the issue and remove the emotional charge.”
— Rick Saruna
Where anxiety often starts
- A frightening or overwhelming experience, sometimes years ago
- Growing up in a home where you had to stay on guard
- A loss, illness or sudden change that shook your sense of safety
- Long stretches of stress that never got a chance to settle
- An inner voice that has learned to expect the worst
People are often surprised to find their anxiety is connected to something they had not thought about in years.
“When a reaction does not fit the situation, it’s not about the situation. It’s about the emotional accumulation in a person’s lifetime.”
— Rick Saruna
A typical example
A young professional came in with panic attacks before meetings. She was good at her job and couldn’t understand why her heart pounded every time she had to speak. As she described it, her voice tightened at one word: “judged.” That led back to a teacher in grade four who made her read aloud and mocked her mistakes in front of the class. She hadn’t thought about it in twenty years. Once that memory lost its emotional charge, meetings became just meetings again.
(Details are changed and combined from many clients to protect privacy. This is a typical example, not one person.)
Four myths about anxiety
- “It’s all in your head.” Anxiety is very real in the body: heart rate, breathing, digestion and muscle tension all change.
- “You just have to learn to live with it.” Many people find that when the root is resolved, the anxiety fades rather than just being managed.
- “Avoiding the trigger is the answer.” Avoidance brings short-term relief but teaches your brain the danger is real, so the anxiety grows.
- “If I talk about it, it’ll get worse.” With the right approach you don’t have to relive every detail. Saruna’s Rapid Emotional Release and Empowerment is built for exactly that.
How we find it
In a session I listen to much more than your words. Tone, pauses, hesitation, eye movements, tears, tapping or shifting in the chair: the body often says something the words do not. That gap is where the root usually shows itself. Sessions are never rushed, a full hour and often more, so there is time to find it.
How we release it
Saruna’s Rapid Emotional Release and Empowerment is the process I developed to release the emotional charge behind anxiety, so the memory or trigger loses its grip. You do not have to relive every detail of what happened.
Thought Shifting is a separate process that changes the thinking that keeps anxiety going: the words you use, your surroundings and the inner voice that jumps to “what if.” It is the subject of my book Thought Shifting.
Where it helps, clinical hypnosis lets you rehearse feeling calm in the situations that used to set you off.
What you can do before you come see us
These can help temporarily. Lasting change comes when we find the root and remove the emotional charge.
When anxiety rises, breathe in for a count of four, then out for a count of six, for one minute. A longer exhale tells your nervous system it’s safe. Then ask yourself: “When have I felt this exact feeling before?” Don’t force an answer. Just notice what comes up. That question is often where the real work begins.
Signs it is time to get help
- Anxiety is affecting your sleep, work or relationships
- You avoid places, people or situations because of it
- Physical symptoms: racing heart, tight chest, stomach problems, headaches
- You have tried to manage it on your own and it keeps coming back
If you ever feel unsafe or think you might harm yourself, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 9-8-8, Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, any time.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer anxiety help in Windsor?
Yes. We are at 2303 Central Ave. in Windsor with free on-site parking, and we also see clients online across Ontario and beyond.
Do I have to talk about my past in detail?
No. Saruna’s Rapid Emotional Release and Empowerment is designed to release the emotional charge without reliving every detail.
How many sessions will I need?
Every person is different, but because we work on the root, many people notice a change within the first few sessions. We will give you an honest idea at your free evaluation.
Do you work with teens?
Yes. We see children and teens of various ages depending on the issue, often together with their parents. Call for more information.
How do I start?
Book a free evaluation of 30 minutes or more. We take the time to listen to your situation and explain how we can help. Call 519-948-0078 or visit our anxiety page.
Body & Mind Natural Health · 2303 Central Ave., Windsor, Ont. · In office or online · 519-948-0078
