How Anxiety Affects Your Body
Let’s talk about just how intimately intertwined our mind and body are. What we think affects how we feel and how we feel affects what we think. Understanding that the mind-body connection is powerful is the first step towards living holistically.
Let’s look at a real life example. People who deal with anxiety can see it manifest physically in the form of headaches, stomach issues, and tense muscles. In similar fashion, if you aren’t allowing yourself enough sleep or getting the kind of nutrition you need, you may find it harder to cope with your anxiety, worsening the problem.
Effective coping strategies address both the body and the mind. Remember to give your body and your mind what they need to take care of one another. For more information on the relationship between the body and the mind, click here: Body Blog
The Science Behind It
Our brain produces chemicals that can help our body to feel better. Endorphins, for example, are our body’s natural pain remedies and gamma globulin has been shown to make our immune system stronger. These chemicals are produced, in part, on our thoughts and reactions to the circumstances. Science shows that a patient who is positive about their outlook when rehabbing after a surgery, for instance, is more likely to have a speedier recovery.
On the other hand, those who feel more negatively towards their outlook are less likely to recover more quickly. When we don’t have positive reactions towards our circumstances, it can keep the brain from producing those chemicals. It’s important to remember that some illnesses are out of our control, but it’s equally important to remember that we can help ourselves by being mindful of how we’re dealing with our obstacles, like anxiety.
