Did you know that one-in-five Canadians are estimated to suffer with anxiety at some point in there life (Canadian Mental Health Association).
How Does Anxiety Feel In the Body?
Anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including:
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t catch your breath
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle tension or aches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Numbness or tingling sensations
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Is All Anxiety Bad?
No, not at all. Anxiety is an important element to our survival. The fight or flight response is a physiological response that occurs in response to a perceived threat. It is a survival mechanism that is triggered by the release of hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the body to either fight or flee from the perceived danger.
During the fight or flight response, the body undergoes a number of changes, including:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure to pump more oxygen to the muscles
- Dilated pupils to improve vision
- Increased breathing rate to take in more oxygen
- Constricted blood vessels in non-essential organs, such as the stomach and intestines, to redirect blood flow to the muscles
- Release of glucose from the liver to provide energy
- Increased sensitivity of the senses, such as hearing and vision, to detect potential danger
- Release of endorphins, natural painkillers, to reduce pain if injured
The fight or flight response is a normal and necessary response to danger, but when it is activated frequently or unnecessarily it can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues
Impact of Anxiety
Anxiety can take us away from what matters most. Anxiety can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental and physical health, as well as their daily life.
Some of the ways in which anxiety can affect a person include:
- Interfering with daily activities: Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to focus on tasks, make decisions, or even leave the house.
- Physical symptoms: Anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, headaches and muscle tension. These symptoms can be distressing and exhausting.
- Sleep disturbance: Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to fatigue, irritability and poor concentration.
- Negative impact on relationships: Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to interact with others and can lead to social isolation.
- Difficulty in managing emotions: Anxiety can make it hard for a person to manage their emotions and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
- Negative impact on work or school performance: Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to perform well at work or school, leading to poor job performance and poor academic performance.
You may be experiencing similar impacts to anxiety. It is not easy and I can appreciate your search for healing. Anxiety can also lead to the development of other mental health conditions, such as depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
What Do I Do If I am Feeling Anxious?
The fastest way to relieving anxiety is to give attention to the physiological response first. The body needs to know it is safe and the danger is not present. Here are some somatic and psychological ways to do just that:
- Breathing exercises: Focusing on deep breathing and slow breathing can help to calm the body and reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: This technique involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, which can help to release muscle tension and reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Yoga or tai chi: These practices involve a combination of physical movement, breathing exercises, and meditation, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Body scan: This technique involves paying attention to each part of your body, and noticing the sensations, this can help to increase awareness of the body and reduce the focus on anxious thoughts.
- Grounding techniques: Grounding techniques can help to bring your focus to the present moment and away from anxious thoughts. Examples include counting objects in the room, naming colors, or using your senses to focus on the present moment.
- Positive self-talk: Reminding yourself of your strengths and capabilities can help to reduce anxiety and boost self-confidence.
- Distraction: Engaging in a fun or enjoyable activity can help to take your mind off of anxious thoughts and reduce the level of anxiety.
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest taken between two deep breaths. — Etty Hillesum
Let’s find calm together and find out where this has been stemming from, it may have longer roots.
If you are interested in support for your anxiety please feel free to reach out to me.