Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can affect both the mind and body. While it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, ongoing anxiety can interfere with daily life and trigger a wide range of physical symptoms. These may include a racing heart, shortness of breath, muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, and teeth grinding.

Anxiety can also present in less obvious ways, including sleep disturbances, skin problems, changes in appetite, reduced libido, and difficulty concentrating. Many of these symptoms are linked to the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” response, which is designed to protect you from perceived threats but can become overactive during periods of prolonged stress or worry.

Understanding how anxiety affects the body is an important step toward managing symptoms effectively. While mild anxiety may improve with lifestyle changes and self-care, severe or persistent symptoms — particularly chest pain, breathing difficulties, or sudden changes in health — should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.