Why Do People Get ‘Anxious’ Before Big Decisions?

Imagine you're standing at the edge of a big jump, like jumping into a pool. You don't know how deep it is, and you might get wet. That’s kind of what happens in your brain before big decisions. Your brain says, ‘I need to think about all my options,’ which makes you feel nervous. This feeling is called anxiety.

When you have a lot of choices or a decision feels really important, your brain works overtime trying to figure it out. That extra work can make you feel stressed, and that’s when anxiety shows up.