The physical effects of anxiety

Anxiety is feeling uncomfortable or worried about a problem. Excessive worry can lead to stress and even panic. So how does anxiety affect the body? The following article will discuss the effects of anxiety on the body.

Anxiety is a normal response to stress, stemming from the demands and pressures we experience every day. However, persistent anxiety can also be the result of disorders such as an anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety. Feelings of anxiety manifest in many ways and regardless of age, gender, or race.
Stressful things like exams or job interviews can lead to feelings of anxiety. And sometimes, a little worry or anxiety helps. It can help you get ready for an upcoming situation. For example, if you're preparing for a job interview, a little bit of anxiety can push you to try harder. Then you can present yourself more professionally to the recruiter. Worrying about a test can help you study more and prepare better for test day.
But people with excessive anxiety, overreacting even just thinking about the stressful issue can cause lingering anxiety and fear. Excessive fear or constant worry is harmful because it prevents you from focusing on reality or thinking clearly. People with anxiety disorders find it difficult to shake their anxiety. When that happens, they may experience physical symptoms.
MORE: How to overcome fear and anxiety?

There are two factors to the stress response. The first is awareness of the challenge. The second is an automatic physiological response known as the "fight or flight" response that increases adrenaline and puts your body on red alert. When anxiety becomes excessive, it is likely to trigger a stress response. When it does, feelings of anxiety can affect the body in many ways. Chronic anxiety leads to persistent fatigue or unrealistic fears. This adds to the anxiety and fear.
Anxiety, fear and chronic stress can cause a host of health problems such as:
The "fight response" causes the body's sympathetic nervous system to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can increase blood sugar and fat levels, causing physical reactions such as: difficulty swallowing, dizziness, dry mouth, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, fatigue, headache, irritability, pain muscles, muscle tension, convulsions, nausea. Prolonged anxiety and release of stress hormones can have serious physical consequences, including: suppression of the immune system, digestive disorders, muscle tension, short-term memory loss, dynamic disease coronary heart disease, heart attack If left untreated, anxiety can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts. Chronic anxiety can affect daily life so much that it can interfere with appetite, sleep, lifestyle habits, work performance, and relationships. Many people are so anxious that they seek relief through harmful habits such as overeating, smoking, or using alcohol and drugs.

While these effects are the body's response to stress, getting sick depends on how you deal with stress. The body's responses to stress involve the immune system, heart, blood vessels, and hormones. These hormones help regulate various functions in your body, such as brain function and nerve impulses. All of these systems interact with and are profoundly influenced by your coping style and psychological state.

Although fear and anxiety can cause an imbalance in your body, there are ways to re-establish harmony in mind, body and spirit.
Exercise daily: Exercise can both boost immune system function and build strength and is a very effective way to practice how to deal with stress. A healthy and balanced diet with nutrients: Stress and anxiety cause some people to eat too little, others to eat too much or to eat unhealthy foods. Pay attention to your healthy diet, especially when you have feelings of anxiety. Avoid substance abuse. In addition to stimulants such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and cocoa should also be used in moderation. A cup of tea or coffee can help you stay awake because caffeine stimulates the nervous system. But if you use too much, it will trigger adrenaline secretion and make you feel anxious and jittery. Be alert to worries and fears. Take 15 minutes a day to allow yourself to focus on your problems and fears – and then let them go. Learn to relax. Relaxation techniques can trigger the relaxation response - a physiological state characterized by feelings of warmth and alertness. Relaxation can reduce anxiety and increase self-management of stress. When relaxed, blood flow to the brain increases and brain waves shift from a awake beta rhythm to a relaxed alpha rhythm. Regular practice of relaxation techniques can counteract the debilitating effects of stress. Popular relaxation methods include deep belly breathing, meditation, listening to soothing music, and activities like yoga and tai chi. Meditation can help you overcome negative thoughts and get rid of worries, keeping your body in a state of alertness. With meditation, you pay attention purposefully to what is happening in the present moment without thinking about the past or the future. Meditation reduces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that are released when there is a feeling of anxiety. Communicate and share feelings with relatives and friends. Participating in social work activities not only helps to forget about worries, but sometimes also helps you find ways to solve problems. Get help from a doctor. Get a general check-up to make sure other health problems aren't worrying you. Your doctor may prescribe medication such as an anti-anxiety medication or an antidepressant to help you manage your anxiety.

Talking to a psychotherapist will help you identify what's causing your anxiety and help you figure out how to deal with the issues that are causing your anxiety. Psychological interventions can provide coping strategies, suggesting ways to help you change. In short, feelings of anxiety stem from the stresses and strains of life. Feeling anxious can be positive because it motivates you to strive for self-improvement. Feelings of anxiety can also be negative because it causes a range of symptoms, both physical and mental. Coping with worries, learning how to relax, exercising, eating healthy, and sharing your feelings are all ways to help reduce anxiety. If anxiety is excessive, seek help from a doctor and psychotherapist.

Reference source: webmd.com