The Physical Fall Out Due to Anxiety

Anxiety is a beast that manifests itself in our bodies. We are beings that face stress on a daily basis. Especially during COVID. This is a time where we can either reflect on ourselves or fall into the locked cage of our mind. Our minds can be our worst enemy. Let’s break down anxiety. How it works, and how it hurts.

There are many factors that cause anxiety. Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You have a health condition, you can’t pay your bills on time, your job is overwhelming, your kids are making you crazy, divorce, moving to a new city, social situations are stressful for you. So many factors can play into the occasional anxiety. Occasional anxiety is normal.

Then those anxieties start to spiral out of control, and you become stuck in your head, with the constant worry of what if? So now you’re stuck with these what ifs? You’re stressed about something that may or may not happen. Now you are just torturing yourself. The only way to stop this is to become mindful of your thoughts. Get a notebook and for one day, write down everything negative that has come into your mind. You’ll be surprised at the way you think about yourself. Let go of the “what ifs.” Just wait for it to happen, then worry about it.

Genetic chemistry is also a factor. For example, your dad has panic attacks, but your fine. Until you hit a certain age, and now you have them too. Our genetic makeup is so complex. Especially if you have a family history of mental disorders. ADHD anxiety, depression, Bipolar. There are so many factors involved in this. People see mental health as a stigma, but it’s not. This situation lives with you forever, this is something you cannot stop due to your genetic makeup. However, you can learn to control it. Medication and therapy are wonderful options, but to finally be free, you need to learn how to control your thinking.

Panic attacks are debilitating. They can completely throw your life into a chaotic mess. There you are, you can’t catch your breath. You feel dizzy, maybe your feet, hands and lips go numb. You start sweating and you feel like you’re dying. Many people with panic attacks end up in the ER, because they are fairly certain they may be dying. As time goes on, you become agoraphobic. You don’t want to leave the house, even going to the grocery store is scary. This is when you need to recognize the situation that your mind has put you in. As you sit there thinking about the symptoms in your body, your mind feeds those symptoms. It makes then stronger.

Eventually they will manifest themselves in your body, usually in the form of pain. The muscles in your shoulders and neck become tight. That tightness makes you uncomfortable. Now you have headaches, muscle tension, you feel dizzy because your muscles are cutting off the oxygen and blood flow to your brain. Now you’ve got two beasts that feed each other. Pain fuels the anxiety and the anxiety fuels the pain. There you are wondering, why isn’t the medication working? Well, medication can only do so much. You have to face the issue. Is it chemistry, is it a trigger from a family member? Others can only help you so much, you have to do the work. Tell yourself, this is just adrenaline and cortisol running through my body, I am not dying.

That’s where mindfulness comes in. Studies from the American Psychological Association show that mindfulness can’t not only help your mental wellbeing but can also help your physical wellbeing. Mindfulness meditations can change our brain and biology in a positive way. Chronic stress can impair the body’s immune system and can create pain. You’re probably wondering, how can I learn mindfulness? Isn’t that just for Buddhists and hippies? Maybe? But if you’re are willing to open your mind and give it a try, you may be able to get out of the “what if” cycle.

Now you’re asking yourself, how do I start? You can find mindfulness classes at Yoga studios, hospitals, clinics. The beauty of today, is that we have unlimited resources, we have Google. You can find mindfulness apps online. If can’t sleep because your brain is spinning, download an app with guided meditations. As you start to try to sleep, focus on the voice, the words, the sounds. If you can put your focus there, you can stop the Drunken Monkeys (Buddhist term), from running around in your head and causing havoc.

It’s not going to be easy the first time out of the gate. With time, patience and self care, you can change how your brain is wired. You are so much more than your panic attacks. You are an amazing being that can change your life. Find a practitioner that can help you. Mix East with West. Your practitioner is simply a guide, the journey to freedom is yours. You are a beautiful being, don’t let your mind keep you caged in. Embrace your strength and break that cage!

References: The American Psychological Association. Daocloud.com