The human body is sophisticated and has a series of responses to ensure its wellbeing. Changes to our emotional state result in psychological distress. When we encounter stressful events and respond with fear, anxiety, or nervousness, the body uses signals to activate its flight or fight response. Which increases the body’s cortisol, adrenaline, and other stress hormones, causing the muscles to tighten. The severity experienced differs between individuals and depends on several factors. The energetic response of contracting and tightening prepares the body to defend itself.
What Happens When the Body is Under Stress/Anxiety?
The body isn’t always able to differentiate between real or imagined triggers as it activates its flight or fight response.
Some individuals are immediately alerted to their psychological distress as their chest tightens, accompanied by sharp or dull pain, and it becomes difficult to breathe.
Sometimes it is not always apparent when our body is under distress. Sometimes our body knows we are under distress before we are. For some, the only indicator of distress is the tightening of their chess, sharp/dull pain, increased heartbeat, and/or changes to their breathing pattern.
The tightening of the chess is a psychosomatic indicator of stress OR anxiety. A psychosomatic response happens when our mental state affects our physical state.
What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Stress is triggered by EXTERNAL factors (outside of us).
Anxiety is triggered by INTERNAL factors (within us).
Chronic stress can lead to anxiety. Unlike stress, anxiety can linger even after the initial worry has passed.
How to Lessen the Physical Reactions Associated with Stress/Anxiety
Feelings of anxiety, fear, or nervousness are normal. However it is important to seek relief for the chronic activation of the flight or fight response, as it can lead to other mental and physical health concerns. See below:
- Meditation/Mindfulness has been shown to lower levels of anxiety by calming the mind and body.
- Psychotherapy helps to identify issues that cause emotional distress. Many therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment that focuses on changing automatic negative thought/belief responses. Read more about CBT here.
- Medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed to reduce feelings of anxiety. SSRIs also help to reduce the physiological symptoms of muscle tension, headache, etc.