(3) Muscle Tension: Anxiety can lead to muscle tension and stiffness, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. This can result in headaches, muscle aches, and even chronic pain conditions.
(4) Trembling or Shaking: Nervousness and anxiety can lead to trembling or shaking, particularly in the hands or voice. Right when you want to make a good impression, your voice falters and this just increases your anxiety.
(5) Shallow Breathing: When anxious, people tend to take shallow breaths or even hyperventilate. This can lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, and an increased feeling of panic.
(6) Weakening of the Respiratory System: Chronic anxiety can lead to a heightened state of alertness, causing the respiratory system to become overworked. This can lead to fatigue and consequently we may experience difficulty breathing.
(7) Insomnia or Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety can interfere with sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep, or stay asleep. This can lead to fatigue and exacerbate feelings of anxiety. You can find yourself spending hours in bed ruminating on something that will probably never happen. The more you tell yourself that you MUST get some sleep, the more anxious your mind gets and the longer you stay awake.
(8) Skin Problems: Anxiety alone does not directly cause skin issues, but it can exacerbate or trigger existing skin conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. For instance, when you're anxious, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to an increase in oil production in the skin's sebaceous glands. This excess oil can clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts.
(9) Chest Pain: Severe anxiety or panic attacks can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. This can be caused by several different processes. It's important to be aware that this discomfort is not usually related to a heart condition. For example, prolonged muscle tension throughout the body (caused by anxiety), can often include the tightening of chest muscles. This may cause us to worry that we are having a heart attack in extreme situations. It’s crucial to differentiate anxiety-related chest pain from chest pain caused by a heart condition. If you experience chest pain and are uncertain about the cause, (especially if you have risk factors for heart disease or a history of heart problems), it’s essential that you seek medical evaluation quickly to rule out any cardiac issues.
(10) Hair Loss: In some cases, anxiety can lead to hair loss or exacerbate conditions like alopecia. This can be due to changes in hormones released, inflammation, changes to blood flow and circulation, and also dietary changes that often accompany anxiety.
(11) Increased Blood Pressure: Chronic anxiety can contribute to elevated blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and other health issues. You might be able to feel your blood pressure rising in times of anxiety, and you can see the redness on your chest grow.
(12) Sweating: Anxiety can cause excessive sweating, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Have you ever gone on a first date, or stood up to make a presentation and noticed sweat stains on your underarms?
(13) Weakened Immune System: Prolonged stress and anxiety can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses. It also makes it much harder to recuperate after illness.
