Why Anxiety is Like a Check Engine Light for Your Body

Imagine you're driving down the road when suddenly your car’s check engine light comes on. You might feel a surge of frustration or worry. What does it mean? Is your engine about to fail, or is it something minor like low oil? Either way, the light is signaling that something needs attention.

Anxiety functions in a similar way—it’s your body’s check engine light, alerting you that something isn’t quite right. But just like with a car, we often respond in one of three ways:

1. Ignore it and hope it goes away

2. Panic and assume the worst

3. Investigate the cause and address the underlying issue

When we understand anxiety through a polyvagal lens, we can begin to decode what our nervous system is trying to tell us, rather than just reacting to the symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore how anxiety serves as a warning signal, what it tells us about our nervous system, and how we can respond in a way that promotes regulation and healing.

The Polyvagal Perspective on Anxiety

Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our autonomic nervous system (ANS)reacts to stress and safety. The ANS has three main states:

1. Ventral Vagal (Safe and Connected) – This is the "green light" state where we feel calm, socially engaged, and able to think clearly.

2. Sympathetic (Fight or Flight) – The "yellow light" state where we experience increased heart rate, hypervigilance, and racing thoughts—this is where anxiety shows up.

3. Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown and Freeze) – The "red light" state where we feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or even numb.

When your car’s check engine light comes on, it usually means there’s some kind of imbalance—too little oil, too much heat, or something else throwing the system off. Anxiety works the same way. It’s your nervous system's way of saying, “Something isn’t right; pay attention.”

But instead of just reacting to the anxiety itself (trying to suppress it or becoming overwhelmed by it), we need to look under the hood and identify what’s triggering the response.

What’s Causing Your Nervous System to Sound the Alarm?

Anxiety can be triggered by a variety of factors, much like a car’s warning light could be due to multiple issues. Some of the most common nervous system triggers include:

1.  Past Trauma and Unresolved Stress: If you’ve experienced relational trauma, childhood neglect, or other forms of stress, your nervous system may be hyper-alert to potential danger—even when no real threat exists. This can make daily life feel like you’re constantly driving with the check engine light on, even when everything seems fine on the surface.

2. Sensory Overload and Nervous System Dysregulation: Certain environments—crowded places, loud noises, or bright lights—can overwhelm your nervous system, especially if you already have a heightened baseline of stress. Your body responds as if it’s in danger, even when there’s no real threat.

3. Internal Stressors: Overthinking and Catastrophizing: Your mind can also be a source of “malfunction,” constantly running anxious thoughts, worst-case scenarios, and self-criticism. This is like having a faulty sensor in your car—your body reacts as if there’s a major issue, even when the actual situation is minor or manageable.

4. Physical Imbalances: Sleep deprivation, dehydration, and poor nutrition can all contribute to increased anxiety. If your car runs on low-quality fuel or lacks proper maintenance, it won’t perform well. Your body operates in the same way.

How to Respond to Anxiety Like a Skilled Mechanic

Now that we understand anxiety as a warning signal, the goal isn’t to turn off the check engine light without fixing the issue. Instead, we want to approach anxiety with curiosity and care, just as a skilled mechanic would when diagnosing a car problem.

1. Identify the Root Cause – Instead of ignoring or numbing anxiety, take a step back and ask, What is my anxiety trying to tell me? Are you feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or disconnected? Through the polyvagal lens, anxiety often signals that your nervous system is in a state of hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) or shutdown (freeze). Identifying these states can help you respond with the right tools.

2. Regulate Your Nervous System – Just as a mechanic checks various systems in a car, you can use body-based strategies to support your nervous system. Deep breathing, movement, grounding exercises, and engaging in safe social connections can help shift your body out of a heightened stress response.

3. Address Underlying Patterns – A mechanic doesn’t just fix surface-level issues; they look at the bigger picture. Anxiety can stem from past trauma, chronic stress, or unmet emotional needs. Working with a counsellor specializing in anxiety therapy can help you uncover deeper patterns and develop long-term coping strategies.

4. Practice Preventative Maintenance – Just as regular oil changes keep your car running smoothly, daily self-care and boundary-setting can help prevent anxiety from becoming overwhelming. Prioritizing rest, movement, and meaningful connections can keep your nervous system in balance.

Final thoughts: A Roadmap to Healing

Anxiety is not a flaw or a malfunction—it’s your body’s way of communicating that something needs attention. By responding with awareness, regulation, and support, you can learn to navigate anxiety with confidence instead of fear. If you’re struggling with anxiety and want personalized support, working with an anxiety therapist can help you create a roadmap for healing.

If you’re looking for support on your journey, Lokahi Wellness Collective offers anxiety therapy in Kelownato help you understand and manage your anxiety. As a Kelowna counsellor, I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced relational trauma, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation. Book a consultation today to take the first step toward healing.