Anxiety can get in the way of being able to feel calm and at peace in everyday life, even when there is not anything “wrong.” Many symptoms of anxiety are emotional and psychological, but they can also manifest as somatic (physical) symptoms, which can exacerbate feelings. The somatic symptoms of anxiety can often worsen anxiousness, as it is confusing to not know why you are experiencing physical symptoms in the absence of a physical illness.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health condition that is not a disorder, but an adaptation to stressful living conditions. Some people are more prone to experience anxiety. It can also be passed down from generation to generation or triggered by environmental factors such as chronic stress and complex trauma.
Although anxiety is a normal part of everyday life and can be helpful to a certain extent, those with anxiety disorders feel chronic and debilitating worry about everyday events even in the absence of concrete causes.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
If you have anxiety, you may experience physical symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Acid reflux
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Racing heart
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as IBS
The physical symptoms of anxiety can be so distressing that they cause you to miss out on everyday life experiences. Constant anxiety can become frustrating to the point that the fear of experiencing anxiety causes anxiety. Being aware of when you are feeling anxious and noticing when physical symptoms of anxiety arise can be a powerful tool for helping you learn how to cope with anxiety so it does not control you.
Coping With Anxiety
There are many things you can do to regulate your nervous system and mitigate symptoms of anxiety. Although anxiousness is your body’s natural stress response to protect you from danger, clinical anxiety turns this response on constantly, even when there is no danger present. The goal is not to completely get rid of it, though you can shift the way you respond when it arises.
Some ways to begin coping with anxiety are:
- Mindful breathing and meditation
- Breathwork
- Yoga and other forms of movement
- Journaling
- Repeating affirmations to yourself, such as “I am safe”
- Holding an ice cube during an anxiety attack
- Psychotherapy
- Anxiety medication, as prescribed by your doctor and treatment team
Anxiety can wreak havoc on your life and make you feel like you have no control. Allow yourself to understand anxiety and take steps to prevent, get through, and recover from it with as much ease as possible.
Anxiety is an experience that can impede your ability to move through your everyday life and to feel at ease while doing so. At Avalon Malibu, we understand how difficult it can be to heal from anxiety disorders. Our team of professionals is here to support you as you continue to cultivate awareness about what causes anxiety for you, the physical symptoms that arise, and how to cope with them in new ways. If you are struggling to do this alone, call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
