How Anxiety Affects the Body

There is nothing abnormal about anxiety.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States, affecting about 18% of the population. Yet there is still a stigma around anxiety and other mental disorders, which often prevents sufferers from seeking treatment. Are you or someone you know suffering from anxiety? Check out this blog post for information on how anxiety affects the body and mind and why it's essential to seek treatment today.

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, and it can be challenging to understand what it feels like if you have never experienced it. Anxiety is an emotional response to a situation that causes you to feel worried or fearful.

It can be brought on by stress, grief, trauma, or even excitement. It is a normal reaction that everyone experiences at one time or another. However, if you experience anxiety often or in excess, it may be time for you to seek help for your anxiety.

Anxiety is a REAL experience. You are not alone.

Anxiety can be a very real experience for many people. It can also be a condition that is often misunderstood and avoided. By learning about the symptoms of anxiety, you can better understand how it affects your body and mind.

Our minds are so powerful that sometimes anxiety creates scenarios in our heads that are not true because it is based on the unrealistic expectations we have of ourselves. Anxiety can increase when we think about past events or what the future may look like.

If you are experiencing anxiety today, ask yourself these questions:

1. What can I do to take care of myself today?

2. What do I need today? Do I need extra sleep? Am I hungry?

3. Today, am I overexerting myself?

4. What does my body feel like? Fatigue? Relaxed? On edge?

5. What am I feeling today? Sad? Happy? Angry?

6. Who can I call or text right now?

What are some other physical symptoms I might have?

Physical symptoms are some of the most common in anxiety, but they are not always easy to spot. For example, you may feel dizzy or experience chest pain when you have an anxiety attack. These physical symptoms can be draining sometimes, especially when you are trying to live your day-to-day life.

• Dizziness: This may come in waves and can affect your balance and concentration levels as well as cause nausea or headaches.

• Muscle ache & tension: You may feel tense all over or in certain areas like your neck, jaw, or shoulders. Your muscles may ache or feel sore too.

• Chest pain & Heart Palpitations: When you feel anxious, your heart rate increases and can cause chest pain or tightness in your chest area. If this happens during an anxiety attack, it's important that you seek medical attention immediately because it could indicate a more serious heart condition called angina pectoris (pronounced AN-jee-nah PEK-tor-i)

Other Symptoms you may experience:

• Tiredness

• Dry Month

• Excessive Sweating

• Shortness of Breath

• Trembling or Shaking

One Day at A Time

It’s important to recognize that anxiety is not just a feeling, it’s also a physical experience. Even if you don’t always feel anxious, your body might still be experiencing some of the symptoms associated with anxiety.

For example, My anxiety's physical symptoms such as dizziness, muscle tension, and chest pain may be different than yours. That does not mean your experience should not be talked about because it should. Every anxiety experience is different and leaning on others for support can help you feel connected.

When you are feeling anxious remember to take the time to sit through uncomfortable feelings and create a way to cope with your body. You know what works for your body and reach out to someone you trust to talk through your experience.