Anxiety and the Body
What is anxiety and How does it show up in the body
Dysregulation of the Nervous System
When stuck in a heightened state of alertness, the nervous system struggles to distinguish real threats from perceived ones, making relaxation feel impossible.
Anxiety impacts the body
Impact on long term health
Understanding anxiety’s presence in the body is important because chronic stress can lead to burnout, fatigue, and even long-term health issues.
Overstimulation
You might notice frequent overthinking, difficulty sleeping, or a sense of being on edge. These signs take us away from being present or focused through competing stimuli.
Manifesting in the physical body
When mental worrying translates to physical markers or symptoms such as: racing heart, tight chest, restlessness, digestive issues, or chronic tension.
Getting stuck in survival mode
If left unprocessed, the body remains in survival mode, making it difficult to feel safe, connected, or at ease. This impacts our relationships, cognition, and other processes.
What anxiety in the body looks like
Avoidance and removal
Others may experience avoidance, emotional numbness, or frequent physical discomfort without a clear cause. These signs related to a withdrawal from feeling or stimuli.
