What may drive the emotional state known as anxiety?

The emotional state known as anxiety is often driven by uncertainty and stressors. These elements create a sense of fear or apprehension about future events or outcomes. When individuals face situations that are unpredictable or overwhelming—such as significant life changes, performance pressures, or potential threats—they can become anxious as their minds respond to concerns about what might happen.

In contrast, positive experiences and exciting events typically do not trigger anxiety, as they are associated with joy and anticipation rather than fear. Routine tasks, while they can lead to boredom or complacency, usually do not invoke the heightened emotional response characteristic of anxiety unless they are tied to specific stressors or uncertainties. Thus, uncertainty and stressors are at the core of what catalyzes the feelings of anxiety.