7 Helpful Tips To Make The Best Use Of Your Anxiety Body Symptoms
Anxiety Body Symptoms
Everyone experiences anxiety at times especially when confronted with a fear or worry. But constant anxiety can cause an increase in physical symptoms.
Stress or fear triggers the fight-or flight response, which triggers your heart rate and breathing to increase. Fuel and blood flow through the muscles in case you need to escape danger.
Tingling
The nervous system triggers an anxious response when you perceive an imminent threat. It releases a flood of chemical and hormones, such as adrenaline, which increases blood flow, increase oxygen levels and enable you to respond quickly and effectively. This is the body's normal response to life-or death situations. It's intended to safeguard you. A lot of us are worried about things that don't necessarily threaten us, and even could be beneficial. The constant increase in stress hormones and other physical symptoms of anxiety can be mentally and physically draining.
The most typical indication of anxiety is a tingling throughout your body. You may feel it in your legs, arms, chest, or feet. It could also move up to your head and trigger a headache. It can also occur when you sit, lie or stand in the same place for a prolonged period of time. It may be caused by nutritional deficiencies as well as nerve damage or compression, for example, caused by a compressed spinal nerve or pinched nerves.
The sweating is a common indicator of anxiety. Your body is working hard to pump out more water to your sweat glands when you're anxious or stressed, according to NIMH. It can also cause you to feel cold feet and hands because the body draws blood away from those areas to help protect its major organs.
The constant feeling of fatigue and fatigue are often associated with anxiety. You may be suffering from anxiety because of a constant fight-or-flight response or due to difficulty sleeping. A doctor or mental health specialist can offer suggestions on how you can get better sleep, for example, practicing good habits and avoiding caffeine and alcohol at night.
Weakness
The body's fight or flight response could kick in when you feel fear or anxiety. When you feel anxiety or fear, your body's fight or flight response may start to activate. However, over time, this constant state can weaken your muscles and cause you to feel weak.
The tight muscles are painful and can lead to headaches, aches and pains, and other physical ailments. For instance, if you're anxious or agitated your body begins to tense when you're stressed, and if it happens over and over again, it can lead to tension headaches. Migraines can also be caused by tight neck and shoulder muscles.
If you're experiencing stomach pain, it could be an indication of anxiety as well. Your gastrointestinal system is directly related to your mood. People suffering from anxiety are more likely to experience digestive issues such as stomachaches and constipation.
It can also be a symptom of anxiety because it can affect your immune system, which makes you more prone to infections. Stress hormones can alter the immune system. This is particularly true for people who are stressed.
Dr. Barsky says that the first step to identifying and managing anxiety is to stop, evaluate your situation, and then take action. If anxiety disorders symptoms recognize that your physical symptoms stem from a constant state of stress and worry you can take action to end the cycle. "Distract yourself," says the expert noting that even something like watering plants or putting a jigsaw together can be helpful.
Lightheadedness
Anxiety can cause you to feel dizzy, unbalanced or feel like the world is spinning. This can be a distressing feeling and it can also hinder you from getting active, going out or doing things that you are enjoying. Dizziness due to anxiety is sometimes referred to as Vertigo but it could also be a symptom of a disorder that affects the inner ear, such as Benign Peripheral Persistent Dizziness (BPPV).
The body's "fight or flight" stress response releases an abundance of hormones and chemicals into the bloodstream to prepare for threats. This increases the heart rate, intensifies breathing and changes how much oxygen is circulating to the brain. This can cause a temporary sensation of lightheadedness and is the reason you might feel lightheaded before giving a speech or in a crowded room. But when your anxiety becomes chronic and you start experiencing this sensation without any reason, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.
This kind of anxiety-related dizziness can persist for the entire day or longer and is referred to as Chronic Subjective Dizziness or Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). If you suffer from a medical condition that also causes this, you must consult your physician for an accurate diagnosis.
If you're not experiencing any health concerns and feel dizzy when anxious, try to calm yourself by taking deep breaths or by staring at an exact spot. This is how many ballet dancers get relief from this type of dizziness while performing. If this doesn't work it's always a good idea to call your family or a friend to discuss your anxiety and how they can support you. This will help to alleviate your symptoms and prevent them from spiraling out of control.
Mouth dryness
If you are stressed your breathing and heart rate will likely change. As part of your fight or flight response, your body releases the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which raise the rate at which you breathe in order to provide more oxygen to your bloodstream. If your anxiety is chronic and you are constantly releasing stress-related hormones can have negative health effects. It can affect digestion in a way that's physically damaging, like stomach pains, bloating, and diarrhea.
In addition to altering your heart rate and blood pressure, stress hormones can also make you feel sluggish or out of breath. This can happen when you're in a high-stress situation, for instance during an anxiety attack, or when you're planning for a major event. However, it can occur when you're feeling anxious frequently and for no apparent reason.
It's not uncommon for those suffering from anxiety issues to suffer digestive issues. According to the APA those who experience these symptoms regularly should see an expert in mental health.
You're not the only one who feels anxiety. If you're worried about your feelings, talk to an GP or therapist. They can assess whether your feelings are linked to a specific challenge or if you suffer from an anxiety-related condition. They can also provide you with details and suggestions on how to manage your anxiety. This could include suggesting certain medication or therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Be active and get enough sleep. You can also practice exercises for relaxation such as guided visualization or deep breathing to ease your symptoms.
Tension
Anxiety can cause the body to feel uncomfortable and tense. It may even cause pain. The brain sends signals to tell other parts of the system to prepare for a fight-or-flight scenario. This can lead to a knot in the stomach muscles and a feeling of stomachache. This isn't something to ignore because it could lead to serious digestive issues like irritable bowels syndrome or ulcers on the stomach lining.
Another symptom that is often associated with anxiety is heart palpitations which are characterized by rapid and irregular heartbeats. This occurs when the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released into the bloodstream. These hormones can boost the speed that the heart beats and also increase the amount oxygen that circulates throughout the body. The body doesn't need to be on constant alert, so when it is constantly in this state, it can become exhausted and weak.
The feeling of sweating, cold feet and hands, as well as lightheadedness are all signs of anxiety. These are due to the increase in blood flow to the major organs as well as the muscles. This is a part of the fight or reaction, which prepares the body for a potentially dangerous situation. It can be triggered by actual dangers or just by thinking about them. The amygdala, or brain area, is one of the mind that controls emotional reactions. It can also react to fear and trigger physical feelings.
Rapid and shallow breathing can also increase anxiety. This is known as hyperventilation. It disrupts the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the bloodstream, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This can lead to dizziness and burning sensations in the feet and hands.