Is it normal to feel anxious about literally everything all the time?

What you're describing sounds like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and no, it's not just "normal adult stress." I say this as someone who dealt with the exact same thing and finally got help. **Signs this might be more than normal worry:** - Constant, uncontrollable worry about multiple things - Physical symptoms (tight chest, trouble sleeping, muscle tension) - Difficulty "turning off" your brain - Worry that feels disproportionate to actual threats - It's affecting your quality of life **The physical symptoms are real.** Anxiety causes your body to stay in fight-or-flight mode. The tight chest, racing heart, and insomnia aren't in your head - they're your nervous system working overtime. **Things that actually help:** 1. **Talk to your doctor** - Anxiety is very treatable. Medication can be a game-changer for many people. 2. **Therapy** - CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is specifically designed for anxiety and really works. 3. **In the meantime:** - Limit caffeine and alcohol - Exercise regularly (burns off stress hormones) - Practice breathing exercises - Write down worries before bed - Limit news/social media I waited years to get help because I thought it was just "who I am." It wasn't. My only regret is not doing it sooner. You deserve to feel calm sometimes.