One of the common anxiety disorders is chronic anxiety, which includes constant nervousness, worry, and tension, and it goes far beyond being nervous before a date or worrying about a work project. Chronic anxiety is an excessive, persistent, and intense problem that not only can disrupt your everyday life but your health too.
Anxiety causes feelings of dread and of being overwhelmed, constant worry, and inability to relax. Anxiety can show physical symptoms, so it can affect your physical health as much as your mental health.
Although emotional and behavioral symptoms of chronic anxiety are well-known, the following eight physical symptoms can indicate an anxiety disorder.
1. Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is one of the most common physical symptoms related to anxiety. Besides causing pain in the muscles, stress can cause inflammation too.
2. Headaches
Another common physical symptom of chronic anxiety is headaches. The frequent headaches appear because of the tension in the muscles caused by stress, and they can be further worsened by intake of excess caffeine.
3. Fatigue
The stress from chronic anxiety can cause weakening of the adrenal glands which are extremely important in keeping the balance and overall health in the body. One result of the weakened adrenal glands can be fatigue.
4. Digestive Problems
Poor digestion and irritable bowel syndrome are related to chronic anxiety. If the brain doesn’t function normally, the digestive system will suffer too. The gastrointestinal tract produces the brain’s calming neurotransmitter, serotonin, whose production can be lowered as a result of poor digestion caused by anxiety.
5. Sugar Cravings
Since sugar causes a sense of pleasure before causing harm to the body, people with anxiety might crave this white drug when experiencing distress. This is not surprising as they want to feel a pleasurable feeling when upset or stressed.
6. Trouble Sleeping
People who suffer from chronic anxiety can have real difficulties when trying to fall asleep or just relax. The reason is that their brain is rapidly firing, and just because it’s time for bed doesn’t mean it will slow down.
7. Mood Swings
The patience is significantly lowered if the brain is laden with negative or worrisome thoughts. People who suffer from chronic anxiety might snap at or lash out at someone seeking attention.
8. Lack of Focus
Since the brain of those suffering from chronic anxiety is loaded with millions of other things, they might have difficulties in concentrating or focusing. They may try to work something, but their mind will be in some other place.
Although anxiety disorders can’t be quickly fixed, their symptoms might be kept at bay with a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Those who suffer from anxiety should consult a doctor, and try to implement the following life changes:
- Limit caffeine
- Get enough sleep
- Consume a healthy, balanced diet
- Avoid nicotine and alcohol
- Exercise regularly
- Practice deep breathing
- Try meditation
- Identify unhealthy relationships
- Establish a reasonable schedule
- Know who to avoid when you’re feeling anxious
- When you start to feel overwhelmed, try to talk it out
Via David Wolfe | Power Of Positivity