The Ultimate Guide to the Difference Between Gut Feeling and Anxiety

Published February 10, 2024

There’s a lot of discussion online about trusting our gut in situations. Yet, this is not always helpful advice. If you live with anxiety, it can feel like your “gut” is telling you negative things. For example, how everyone hates you or you’ll fail on your goals. Still, gut feeling may help when your body tries to tell you something is wrong. 

To help, we’ve crafted the ultimate guide to telling the difference between gut feeling and anxiety.  By the end, we hope to empower you with valuable insights you can rely on to make decisions. Moreover, making choices to manifest a happier life you love is essential. Let’s start.

What Is Gut Feeling: Understanding Intuition

Gut feelings. More often than not, we’ve felt them. They are intuitive feelings that sometimes pop up out of nowhere. It can feel like a little voice. It guides you without the need for conscious reasoning. But what is it exactly? 

A gut feeling is our six senses in action. It is not a figment of our imagination. It is not a random thought. It is a natural, tangible sensation usually arising from our subconscious. 

It may be a nagging feeling of unease about a situation. It may be a feeling of suspicion about someone you just met. You can’t explain your feelings logically. Yet, here, you know something isn’t quite right. 

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a strong and present feeling of dread, fear, or usual uneasiness. It accompanies physical symptoms, too. For one, trouble breathing. Chronic anxiety about everyday situations can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. 

Critical Differences Between Anxiety and Intuition

1. How it feels 

Anxiety is loud. Intuition is not. Anxiety can feel noisy and overwhelming. It feels like a flood of thoughts and fears. Intuition feels more grounded and focused. It cuts above the noise. A gut feeling can give a direct answer. It is instead of more questions. 

2. What it focuses on 

A gut feeling usually happens in the moment. It fixates on what is happening to you right now. Anxiety is more future-focused. It makes one worry about what is going to happen. 

Your intuition will also usually show up for significant decisions and moments. Anxiety can be triggered by anything, including little everyday stuff. Moreover, anxious thoughts are likely repetitive. Intuitive thoughts are unique. 

3. When it happens 

Anxiety is usually a response to something you sense is threatening. Intuition comes from within you. It does not come from our environment. Instead of reacting to something eternal, you’re connecting with the knowledge you have internally. 

Anxiety usually arises after you’ve been contemplating and analyzing a situation. Intuition pops up seemingly from nowhere. 

How Can You Tell Which One Is?

Anxiety demands to be heard. To do it, it can show up through an intense stream of questions, doubts, and warnings. Your thoughts here are probably racing at total volume. Intuition will feel like a calm, gentle understanding. Rather than a conversation, it is more of a sensation. 

Anxiety also usually causes you to restrict and avoid it. Gut feelings urge you to act. For example, talking to a stranger at a party, taking a risky career move, or ending an unhealthy relationship. If it’s telling you to run and hide, it is probably anxiety. 

Signs You Are Experiencing Gut Feeling

1. Having a flash of clarity
2. Experiencing tension or tightness in your body
3. Prickling or goosebumps
4. Stomach butterflies
5. A sinking sensation in the bottom of your stomach 
6. Sweaty palms or feet
7. Thoughts that keep returning to a specific person or situation 
8. Feelings of peace, safety, or happiness after making a decision. 

Signs You Are Experiencing Anxiety

1. Being nervous, restless, or tense
2. Having a sense of nearing danger, panic, or doom 
3. Being irritable
4. Difficulty concentrating 
5. Rapid breathing or increased heart rate
6. Racing thoughts
7. A range of physical symptoms include sweating and trembling. Stomach aches, rigid body posture, and shortness of breath. 

When You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Intuition

1. Trust your gut when it comes to your safety.

You shouldn’t set aside what you’re feeling when things seem awry. Even if the nudging appears minimal, it’s crucial not to brush it off. 

Never ignore your gut feeling when it comes to safety. Always listen if you have one distinctive to your well-being in a location, situation, or even a disagreement. It may be that subtle voice that guards you from danger. 

2. Trust intuition when your body sends you a signal about your health.

The primary purpose of your intuition is to keep you and your body safe. In ancient times, this would extend to ruling what food or water was safe to consume. In modern times, this might also look like getting migraines or headaches. Moreover, getting digestive disturbances when you are around toxic personality types. 

Furthermore, do not brush off sudden weight changes. Do not ignore nagging body pains, or weird sensations. They can also be telltale that something is off internally.

3. Trust your gut feeling when you think something is off in a relationship. 

Suppose your romantic partner is acting questionable or causes you suspicion and unease. It’s vital to investigate your feelings. Be curious. Seek to understand what is happening that has you wondering if something is up. 

4. Trust intuition when you doubt your abilities. 

It’s easy to let insecurity come in when confronted with an endeavor that takes you out of your comfort zone. Insecurity can lead to fear. But, do not fall into self-doubt and do not have enough faith in yourself. Never ignore your intuition when skilled in a particular area or task. It may be imposter syndrome. Don’t second guess your abilities. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Gut Feeling vs Anxiety

1. Is it my gut, or am I overthinking? 

Gut feelings usually come on quickly and firmly. They’re often connected to strong emotional responses. They can feel like a deep-seated compulsion or intuition. 

Overthinking tends to involve meditating on the same thoughts or worries repeatedly. It can lead to anxiety or stress. It also often feels like being stuck in a loop. 

2. How accurate are gut feelings? 

Gut feelings, or intuition, can sometimes be surprisingly accurate. They are, in essence, your brain making quick decisions based on information it has subconsciously processed. 

According to a study, people can often make accurate judgments about others. It is within the first second of meeting them. It suggests that our gut feelings can sometimes be spot on. Yet, these feelings can also be influenced by biases, fears, and past experiences. Thus, gut feelings shouldn’t be the sole basis for making important decisions. It’s always best to balance intuition with rational thought and evidence. 

3. Is my intuition correct, or am I paranoid? 

Intuition is usually a gut feeling or hunch. It comes from within. It can be a sudden insight—understanding something without conscious reasoning. Paranoia, however, often involves intense anxious or fearful feelings and thoughts. The latter is also often related to persecution, threat, or conspiracy. It typically includes feelings of mistrust or belief that others are trying to harm you in some way. 

4. Can your gut feeling sometimes be wrong? 

Yes, gut feelings can sometimes be wrong. They can be surprisingly accurate at times. They are not infallible. 

Anxiety and gut feelings are different concepts. You must tell which is which, so you’re guided in acting on the two. Gut feelings can help you. You can rely on it to make quick decisions. It can assess your safety. It can also assist in personal relationships, career choices, and creative endeavors. Anxiety, on the other hand, is something you should care for and manage. 

Author Tracy Gorman

I am Tracy Gorman, an experienced writer dedicated to producing compelling and informative content. With a deep understanding of diverse subjects such as lifestyle, beauty, and wellness, I create valuable articles for everyone.