Have you ever felt that tightening knot in your stomach or those racing thoughts that just won't quit? We've all been there—dealing with anxiety is practically a universal experience. It's something that can creep up on us and before we know it, it's affecting every aspect of our lives.
But anxiety is more than just those occasional jitters. It can pack a serious punch to your physical, mental, and emotional health if left unchecked.
Whether feeling overwhelmed by life curveballs or managing job jitters, dive into the power and harm anxiety can cause—and don't worry, we've got your back with tips to manage and reduce its impact. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back in your favorite reading chair, and take charge of your anxiety.
Anxiety is not in your head
When we think of anxiety, we often focus on its psychological effects, like racing thoughts or a fear of judgment. But anxiety can also have physical consequences. Prolonged tension in the body can cause chronic pain, and people with anxiety often report tightness in their back, neck, or shoulders. This is because when people are anxious, they tend to clench their bodies, including their jaw and other parts of their bodies. This can lead to headaches or even migraines.
Anxiety is such a sneaky thing. It doesn't just affect you mentally, but it can also show up in physical ways. Have you ever noticed how your body feels when you're anxious? For example, your shoulders start creeping towards your ears and your jaw clenches tight. It's not the most comfortable feeling, that's for sure!
Muscle tension from anxiety can cause chronic pain. It's like our bodies are stuck in a constant state of "fight or flight," so our muscles never get a chance to relax and unwind. The American Psychological Association notes that "people with anxiety often report tightness in their back, neck, or shoulders." That's why it's essential to recognize the physical manifestations of anxiety and take steps to address them. Chronic tightness in your back, neck, and shoulders can be extremely uncomfortable.
It's not just muscle tension either. Anxiety can also trigger headaches and migraines. When you’re feeling anxious, your body goes into overdrive and produces all sorts of stress hormones. All that extra chemical activity can cause inflammation, which can lead to headaches and other physical symptoms.
Luckily, there are things you can do to manage anxiety and its physical symptoms.
- Doing mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation can be beneficial.
- Going for a brief walk or doing some light stretching can help release some of that built-up tension in our muscles.
- Adding CBD to your daily cup of herbal tea or taking oil like a daily supplement can help significantly reduce anxiety as well.
It's important to pay attention to your body. Take breaks when you need them, try to get some exercise or movement in every day, and practice relaxation techniques that work for you. By taking care of both our minds and our bodies, we can work towards a healthier, more balanced life.
Anxiety can affect your physical health
Ongoing anxiety can have a serious impact on your physical health. It can cause high blood pressure due to prolonged stress and lack of sleep, which can lead to heart problems.
Additionally, weight gain or loss can be a sign of uncontrollable anxiety. You may also experience unexplained aches, headaches, weakened immunity, stomach problems, and frequent urination due to being in a constant state of heightened anxiety. It’s important to recognize that these physical symptoms can be a direct result of mental stress and seek medical advice if they persist.
Anxiety can make it harder to concentrate
Anxiety disorders are a major worldwide health problem with psychological, social, and economic costs. One of the most common side effects of anxiety is difficulty concentrating. This can lead to problems in both social and work environments, as it affects your ability to focus and think clearly.
A meta-analytic review of studies examining the effects of stress and stress hormones on memory found that declarative long-term memory is impaired by stress. The timing of exposure to stress also affects its impact on long-term memory. Stress that occurs before or during the encoding of information was found to have an especially negative impact on long-term memory recall.
In other words, the effects of anxiety on long-term memory can be quite profound and immediate. Therefore, it’s important to manage anxiety as soon as possible, as it can have a long-term effect on your memory and concentration.
Anxiety can weaken your immune system
The relationship between anxiety and the immune system is complicated, but research shows that too much anxiety can lower the body’s immune system and release cortisol. Cortisol works by reducing inflammation and turning on natural immunity.
However, prolonged stress can weaken the immune system over time. People with allergies are more likely to develop anxiety, which can reduce the immune system and cause more allergies.
Living a life that helps keep tension at bay and minimize the odds of getting sick is important.
Additionally, CBD products have been found to help with anxiety, which in turn can help to boost the immune system.
CBD and anxiety
While THC is known to be anxiety-inducing, CBD has been used to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. A recent survey found that 51% of U.S. adults who use CBD do so to help with their anxiety. This makes sense as CBD has anti-anxiety properties and has been shown to reduce fear and stress in both humans and animals.
A study published in 2019 took a group of male volunteers and analyzed the different efficacies of a low, medium, and high dose of CBD during a simulated public speaking test. The results found that the highest dose (600 milligrams) reduced anxiety significantly more than the other two doses and the placebo.
Concurrently another 2019 study tested CBD at 25, 50, and 75 milligrams a day in much lower doses. The results found that anxiety decreased within the first month for most participants and remained low. This suggests that lower doses of CBD can be effective in treating anxiety.
The bottom line about anxiety
It’s time to recognize that anxiety isn't just playing mind games with you—it's playing tricks on your body, too. By taking a holistic approach and addressing both the mental and physical aspects, you can help kick anxiety to the curb and find your way back to a healthier, more balanced state.
Additionally, CBD has shown promise in easing anxiety symptoms for individuals. It may be worth exploring as a potential option, but consulting with a healthcare professional is important to determine if it's suitable for you.
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Disclaimer: The contents of this blog were independently prepared and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.
