-
Have you ever been worried sick about something and felt so anxious
-
that it made your body feel different?
-
Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress
-
but when it lingers too long, it can actually cause real lasting changes,
-
some more permanent than you might expect.
-
I realized I might be making you anxious with how I'm talking.
-
Let me try a friendlier tone:
-
Hey there, welcome to Life Noggin!
-
Everything is gonna be okay.
-
Now, where were we.
-
Anxiety is more than just a feeling.
-
It releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline
-
which trigger stress responses
-
increasing alertness, heart rate,
-
muscle tension, dizziness, nausea, cold hands and feet, and rapid breathing,
-
sometimes leading to hyperventilation.
-
But long-term chronic anxiety can have an even higher toll.
-
It can weaken the immune system, making illness more likely and recovery slower.
-
Constant muscle tension can lead to chronic pain, migraines
-
and even changes in posture that put strain on the spine and joints.
-
Anxiety's impact on digestion can cause irritable bowel syndrome or worsen acid reflux,
-
leading to persistent stomach discomfort.
-
High stress levels don't just cause breakouts,
-
they can also slow wound healing, thin hair,
-
and contribute to conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
-
More surprisingly, anxiety may even shrink brain areas tied to memory and emotional control
-
potentially making it harder to regulate emotions over time.
-
Some studies suggest prolonged stress could even accelerate aging at a cellular level,
-
shortening telome - the protective caps on DNA,
-
leading to faster physical aging and increased risk of age related diseases.
-
So if you needed a sign to get your anxiety in check,
-
that might be it.
-
The good news: anxiety can be managed.
-
Exercise helps regulate stress hormones
-
while deep breathing and mindfulness calm the nervous system.
-
A healthy diet and good sleep can also improve things.
-
I know you've heard it a million times, but it really does work.
-
Also, I'm not a doctor, so please contact a medical professional
-
who can offer you support and give you valuable coping tools.
-
Anxiety can be tough,
-
but understanding its cause and how to address it over time can help us take control
-
and live happier, healthier lives.
-
You didn't get this way overnight
-
so don't get discouraged if it takes a while to build better habits.
-
You got this.
-
How often do you feel anxious, and what kind of things make you feel that way?
-
Let's talk about it in the comment section below.
-
We'll be there for each other.
-
Wanna to watch even more Life Noggin?
-
Click here to watch this video or here to watch this video YouTube things you like.
-
As always, my name is Blocko.
-
This has been Life Noggin.
-
Don't forget to keep on thinking.